Lagos State asks residents for patience as heavy rains damage roads

Lagos State Public Works Corporation has asked residents to be patient as the state deals with heavy rains. The rains have caused flooding and damaged roads and public facilities across the area.

Samuel Ayetutu, the agency’s Director of Public Affairs, shared this message in a statement for General Manager Tokunbo Ajanaku on Thursday.

The statement recognized the troubles facing motorists, commuters, and residents due to bad road conditions. It assured Lagosians that work is ongoing to keep the roads safe for travel.

Ajanaku spoke about the situation, saying the heavy rains are not just a Lagos issue. Many cities around the world are also facing flooding and damage to their public infrastructure.

"The high amount of rainfall we have this year is not just a Lagos problem. Cities worldwide are dealing with floods and damage to their public facilities.

"In Lagos, the problem is more serious because much of the state is below sea level. This makes roads more prone to flooding and groundwater pressure during heavy rains," Ajanaku explained.

He said the corporation used the last dry season to do a lot of road repairs across the state. This helped improve many roads before the rains came.

But he also said that the ongoing rains have made it hard to carry out lasting repairs. Asphalt work needs dry weather to be strong and last long.

"Heavy rainfall has reduced the success of permanent road repairs. Engineering standards say we need dry weather for durable asphalt work to be done well," he noted.

"LSPWC has kept sending maintenance teams across Lagos to fix potholes where possible. But many repairs are temporary measures. They aim to help road users get around safely until better weather arrives," the statement added.

The General Manager said that engineers are watching road conditions in Lagos and making emergency repairs where they can. They plan to start permanent repairs once the weather improves.

He emphasized that providing long-lasting road solutions is the corporation's main goal.

Ajanaku also asked residents to help protect public infrastructure. He warned against dumping waste in drainage channels. Blocked drains can worsen flooding, damage roads, and increase maintenance costs across Lagos.

This appeal comes as more people in Lagos are worried about flooding after weeks of rain. Motorists and commuters have noticed more potholes, damaged road sections, and heavy traffic.

The state government is working harder to reduce the rain's impact. They are continuously clearing drainage channels and monitoring for floods.