Lagos Senatorial Candidate Raises Alarm Over Flood Risks

The National Democratic Congress candidate for Lagos Central Senatorial District, Ladipo Johnson, has warned that some areas of Lagos could be underwater in the next 20 to 30 years if the state does not quickly tackle flooding, blocked drains, and land reclamation.

Johnson shared this concern on Tuesday while presenting his plans and goals for the Lagos Central Senatorial District.

He used to be the spokesman for the New Nigeria People’s Party. He expressed worries about the rising water levels near Lagos Island, Marina, and Lagoon areas. He also pointed out how big construction projects and land reclamation affect the drainage system in the state.

He said, "One of the first things to do is to look properly at what the issues are. When Ilubirin was being built, on the way to the Third Mainland Bridge, did they do a proper environmental impact survey? Did they look at it? When you drive through Adeniji Adele from Ebute Elefun, inwards to the Third Mainland Bridge and Idumagbo, look to your right. You will see some drainage paths where people are already rearing cattle."

Johnson continued, "So, how will the water drain out when most of the places have been blocked? I’m not an engineer. Don’t get me wrong. But I’m just saying, from a layman’s point of view, these things are there. When you look at Lagos Island itself, especially around the marina and lagoon, you will observe that when you drive through a laid-back path towards the outer marina, you can see, even with your naked eye, that the water level is rising."

He added, "And of course, not to seem like I am tackling anyone, we’ve had a gigantic engineering work to do there with the Eko Atlantic. So you have to look at everything in a complete way. We need to ask questions, especially on how we can sort out the situation. It is important."

Johnson warned, "Otherwise, in about 20 to 30 years, we might find ourselves completely below. I believe the same thing applies to Isale Eko, Lekki and, of course, Apapa is within my senatorial district. So it’s not just Lagos Island. Go to Surulere or even Ikate, you will see some houses sinking in different parts."

The candidate also pointed fingers at poor environmental habits of residents for making the flooding situation worse. He called for more public awareness and a change in behavior.

He said, "Again, I think our people need to be cleaner. For instance, when you go to Lagos Island at night, you will see filth from the markets, especially around the Nnamdi Azikiwe area. How did these things come about?"

Johnson added, "Whenever you see people cleaning out the drains, you are bound to see things like plastic bottles, nylons and many other things like that. So the people themselves need reorientation. Hopefully, we’ll begin that very soon in different ways."

Lagos has faced flooding in many areas in recent weeks due to heavy rainfall. Residents have reported problems with movement, businesses, and property damage.

Major roads and communities such as Gbagada, Iyana Ipaja, Ikorodu Road, Ikeja, Maryland, Mushin, Ogudu, Lekki, Oshodi, Agege, Alimosho, and Obalende have often been flooded. Parts of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, and Lekki-Epe Expressway have also been affected.

Johnson's concerns come about a month after the Lagos State Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Dayo Bush-Alebiosu, said that ongoing flooding in the state is due to poor environmental practices and illegal land reclamation.

Bush-Alebiosu spoke on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Tuesday. He mentioned that indiscriminate waste disposal, illegal dredging, and unauthorized reclamation continue to make it hard to deal with flooding in the coastal state.

Johnson also described Lagos Central as an important economic center that needs better representation at the National Assembly.

He said, "Lagos Central, as I said at the beginning of my campaign, is the economic hub of Nigeria. We have the ports, banks and everything. It is meant to be the real Centre of Excellence. Lagos must have a voice in this area."

He added, "When you conduct a poll, you will discover that many people do not know the name of their senators, including here in Lagos Central. That’s because many lawmakers are not representing. A lot of them will tell you. And that’s what I do normally when I campaign."