“From Promises to Proof: Lagos Island Flood Crisis Tests Government’s Credibility”
By Senior Investigative Correspondent, HeadlineNews.News
LAGOS, April 2025 —
Following weeks of unbearable hardship experienced by residents and business owners on Aroloya Street, Binuyo, Ojo-Giwa, Oroyinyin and surrounding areas in Lagos Island, the Lagos State Government has issued a statement announcing the installation of pumping stations to evacuate stagnant stormwater from the streets.
According to the statement, the flooding is a temporary inconvenience caused by ongoing construction under a broader regeneration plan to expand drainage channels, integrate smart pumping systems, and reconstruct major access roads to combat tidal overflow and flash flooding.
But residents are not celebrating — at least, not yet.
From Waterlogged Homes to Contaminated Boreholes
For weeks, homes and streets on Lagos Island have been submerged under polluted stormwater contaminated by sewage and refuse. Boreholes — the lifeblood of drinking water in the area — have been compromised. Access to buildings is restricted, and fears of a cholera outbreak or other waterborne diseases loom large.
“The government only responded after the videos went viral. That says a lot,” said Alhaji Mustapha Lawal, a landlord on Ojo-Giwa Street.
“We’ve heard promises before, but nothing has changed. It’s always talk — no action.”
A History of Broken Promises
Residents’ skepticism is not unfounded. In 2022, a similar government statement assured Lagosians of flood control measures after Victoria Island and Lekki were paralyzed by floods. Two years later, the same areas still face seasonal submersion.
In 2021, Governor Sanwo-Olu promised a fully functional smart drainage management system across flood-prone zones in Lagos. However, the Flood Management Status Report (2023) by the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) revealed that only 28% of promised infrastructure had been delivered.
The 2023 NBS survey also ranked Lagos as one of the top 5 most flood-affected cities in West Africa, despite having Nigeria’s highest budget for environmental and drainage works.
“Lagos floods are no longer acts of nature — they’re acts of negligence,” said Dr. Boma Chukwu, an environmental engineer and consultant with the UrbanWater Initiative.
The Regeneration Plan: Hope or Hype?
The government’s plan outlines:
Smart pumping stations with sensors to detect and drain rising water levels.
Expansion of primary and secondary drainage infrastructure.
Urban road reconstruction to manage tidal overflow from the lagoon.
Stakeholder sensitization and waste disposal education for residents.
These plans are ambitious, but execution is everything.
Lagos State has a history of half-implemented mega-projects — from the Blue Line rail delays to uncompleted inner-city drainage channels in Ajegunle and Ijeshatedo. The question remains: Will Lagos Island’s story be different?
Facts & Figures: The Flood Burden
Over 30,000 Lagosians were displaced by flooding in 2023 alone (NEMA report).
Lagos loses an estimated ₦60 billion annually to flood-related damages.
The state generates over ₦650 billion annually in IGR, yet flood mitigation receives less than 4.2% of budget allocation (Lagos State Budget 2024).
A Call for Transparency and Timelines
While the government urges patience, Lagosians demand performance.
When will the pumping stations be fully operational?
What is the timeline for completing the regeneration project?
Who are the contractors, and what accountability mechanisms are in place?
In a true democracy, citizens should not have to beg for basic infrastructure. Clean water, safe streets, and effective drainage are not privileges — they are rights.
Conclusion: The People Are Watching
The Lagos State Government’s recent statement is welcome. But it must now be backed by visible, measurable action. Words without timelines, and promises without performance, are the very definition of lip service.
If this administration truly values the welfare of Lagosians as claimed, then Aroloya, Binuyo, and Ojo-Giwa must be dry, safe, and livable again — not next year, but now.
Enough talk. Lagos Island needs results.
Dr. Amiida.
Headlinenews.news special report team.
Following reports of the inconveniences being experienced by residents of Aroloya Street, Ojo-Giwa, Binuyo, Oroyinyin and other areas in Lagos Island, the Lagos State government has set up pumping stations in the area to pump out the storm water and relieve residents and business owners in the area.
It should be noted that the state government has approved a total regeneration of Lagos Island; to include improving and expanding the drainage infrastructures (Primary and Secondary Channels), constructing pumping stations with smart sensors for flood control, and promoting sustainable urban regeneration by reconstructing major roads within the area to address tidal challenges, and contractors are presently on site. This temporary blockage of the drainages are as a result of the ongoing constructions.
We plead with residents to bear with the government as the construction will be completed in a very short time while stakeholders are expected to contribute by properly disposing of their waste according to guidelines set by @followlasg and cooperating with the contractors. However, while efforts are being made to minimize inconveniences, occasional disruptions may occur. But be rest assured that the welfare of Lagosians is paramount to the government.
#AGreaterLagosRising
https://x.com/tokunbo_wahab/status/1910240694536388993?t=lycPPwIVjcAMDQU7Q83lIg&s=08
