The Lagos State Government has ramped up its drainage maintenance efforts in key flood-prone areas of the state, particularly in Ojo and Lagos Island, amid a fresh flash flood warning issued by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) for July 2025.
Operatives of the Emergency Flood Abatement Gang (EFAG), working under the supervision of the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, on Monday continued with the desilting of the secondary collector drain along Ojo Road and evacuated large volumes of silt in the area. This proactive effort is aimed at reducing the impact of the anticipated heavy rainfall and mitigating the risk of urban flooding.
Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, who confirmed the ongoing cleanup, stated that the state government was fully committed to implementing preventive flood control measures. He stressed that clearing blocked drains and waterways remained a top priority, especially during the rainy season.
This development follows a high-risk flash flood alert issued by NiMet on Monday. The alert, which highlights the likely impact of heavy downpours in several parts of the country, identified Lagos as one of the states at significant risk. Others listed include Sokoto, Edo, Benue, Kaduna, Zamfara, Yobe, Bayelsa, Ogun, Ondo, and Cross River, among others.
According to NiMet’s July 2025 forecast, Sokoto State faces a particularly high likelihood of flash flooding, while Lagos is also flagged due to its dense population, rapid urbanization, and poor drainage in many communities.
In response to the flood warning, the Lagos State Government had, on Sunday, declared its readiness to confront the threats head-on by intensifying drain de-silting operations across vulnerable locations.
In addition to Ojo Road, drainage cleaning activities were also carried out on Monday in various locations across the state. These include Ajegunle in Ifelodun LCDA, Meiran Collector Drain in Agbado-Oke Odo LCDA, Lewis Street by Beecroft on Lagos Island, Ayinke Timson Drive in Amuwo Odofin LGA, and Samuel Manuwa Street in Ikoyi, under Eti-Osa Local Government Area.
The flood control exercise is part of the state’s broader environmental sustainability agenda, with the aim of safeguarding residents’ lives and properties during the peak of the rainy season.
Residents have been urged to support government efforts by refraining from dumping waste in drainages and ensuring regular maintenance of their immediate environment.
