Flood Crisis: Lekki Communities Send SOS to FG Over Coastal Highway Drainage
- 250 Homes at Risk
- Over 1,200 Residents Affected, 80 Businesses Hit
Residents of Baruwa and Igbo Efon communities along the Lekki-Epe corridor of Lagos State have appealed to the Federal Government for urgent intervention over what they described as worsening flooding allegedly linked to drainage channels from the ongoing Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the communities said the open water discharge system connected to the coastal road project has continued to channel large volumes of stormwater into residential and commercial areas, leading to persistent flooding, destruction of property, and growing fears of a major environmental disaster as the rainy season intensifies.
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Speaking on behalf of residents, the Chairman of the community association, Atanda Mudashiru, and the Secretary, Zacheus Aladejobi, said the flooding has severely affected homes, businesses, and critical access roads within the area.
According to them, the situation has resulted in structural damage to buildings and perimeter fences, destruction of household belongings, increased health risks from stagnant floodwater, and disruption of transportation within the community.
They also noted that several businesses have suffered financial losses due to reduced accessibility and repeated flooding of commercial premises.
The community leaders expressed concern that vulnerable residents, particularly children and the elderly, now live in fear and uncertainty as floodwaters continue to threaten lives and property.
In a Save Our Soul appeal addressed to the Federal Government through the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, the residents called for immediate measures to halt the discharge of stormwater into the community.
“We write on behalf of residents, landlords, business owners, and families within the Baruwa and Igbo Efon communities to urgently draw attention to the worsening environmental and humanitarian challenges caused by the open water discharge drain connected to the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road project,” the letter stated.
“The current drainage arrangement has become a serious threat to lives, properties, businesses, and the overall wellbeing of residents. Large volumes of stormwater are being directed into residential and commercial areas without adequate containment or supporting drainage infrastructure.”
The association disclosed that more than 250 houses are currently exposed to flooding and structural damage, while over 1,200 residents have been directly affected by the recurring overflow of water.
It further revealed that approximately 80 small and medium-scale businesses within the axis are already experiencing operational disruptions and significant financial losses.
The residents warned that heavier rainfall in the coming weeks could trigger catastrophic flooding, building collapses, destruction of livelihoods, and possible loss of lives if urgent action is not taken.
They therefore called on the Federal Government to immediately conduct a technical assessment of the affected communities, deploy emergency flood mitigation measures, and construct proper drainage channels and retention systems capable of safely managing stormwater generated by the coastal highway project.
The association also urged the authorities to engage directly with community representatives and ensure contractors handling the project implement effective environmental and drainage management safeguards.
While acknowledging the importance of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway as a strategic national infrastructure project, the residents stressed that development should not come at the expense of the safety and welfare of citizens.
They maintained that urgent intervention is needed to prevent further hardship and protect residents from what they described as a looming environmental crisis.
The appeal comes amid increasing concerns over flooding in several parts of Lagos as the rainy season gathers momentum.
