The recent flooding that ravaged the Eti-Osa Local Government Area has raised fresh concerns over what the future holds for residents of Lekki, Lagos State as many begin immediate relocation from a city built on sinking sand, writes David Meshioye.

Mrs Abiola Adekoya, a resident of Agungi Ajiran, Lekki, woke up on September 23 with hopes of making fresh profits from her roasted plantain business. She carried out her early morning chores with ease as the sky grew dark — a sure sign of the impending rainfall that would soon sweep through the peninsula. With the storm’s peak nearing, she headed out, ignoring early warnings to secure her home against the heavy downpour.

Meteorologists had previously noted the distinct clouds, warning of the approaching rainfall that could bring flash floods. As predicted by the weather forecaster, heaven opened its window and let down a deluge that threw the city underwater. The single mother of two would have met a watery grave if not for the timely rescue of passers-by who pulled her out when her leg slipped into a manhole.

“I thought it was all over for me until I felt a hand pulling me out. It would have been a different story. I lost the ₦50,000 set aside to purchase plantain, but I thank God for the gift of life,” she said.

As rains poured across Lekki penultimate Tuesday, the picturesque sight of affluent and lush landscapes gave way to a harsh reality for urban dwellers: severe waterlogging. Economic Loss

The flooding left many indelible scars on the lives of residents in the area, as many continue to count their losses. A quick visit to the Ikota area of Lekki revealed massive economic damage, with several shopping malls scooping water out of their buildings, while those on higher ground narrated how sales dropped drastically. According to Mr Segun Odunbaku, a facility manager at Le Quidad Mall, Ikota First Gate, motorists and pedestrians were trapped in gridlock caused by flooding on several roads across the island, which had a severe impact on sales as buyers stayed back for days for fear of being trapped.

“It was a day I wanted to forget quickly, given the level of untold suffering the flood brought upon everyone on this route,” he said. “I came all the way from the mainland, and by the time I eventually got here, the day was far spent. It was a wasted day because we could not make any appreciable sales, as customers feared the flood and gridlock.” Expert View

Structural Engineer and Secretary of the Ogun State Mines Association, Abiodun Adejare, appealed to the Lagos State Government to protect its mangroves and marshlands by putting an end to excessive sand-filling of the lagoon.
“The load-bearing capacity of the soil will be considerably reduced after flooding.”

The capacity of good-quality dry soil ranges between 18 and 20 tonnes per square metre. This is reduced to 12 or 14 after it gets wet. If the entire foundation is wet in a uniform way, the chances of building collapse are slim, but if a part of the foundation remains under water over a period while the rest is dry, the building can be damaged. If that happens on dry land, where do wet grounds like Lekki stand when the floods come?

“I once lived in the Ado Langbasa area of Ibeju-Lekki. The government must rise to the occasion and protect its mangroves and marshlands. Stop the sand-filling of the lagoon, remove all violations along drainage pathways, and erect a seawall and pump system,” he told The Guardian.

In its response, Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, has suspended all reclamation projects across the state without Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) approval. Wahab stated that the State Government cannot afford to allow indiscriminate reclamation of lagoons, wetlands, and floodplains to continue unabated, given the low-lying topography of Lagos State and its fragile ecosystem. Failure to comply with this directive within the next seven days will leave the Ministry with no other option than to deploy appropriate machinery to decommission the reclaimed sites, including excavation and removal of fill, and reconnecting of already blocked water channels on the lagoon, amongst others.

“While reclamation may provide space for housing and infrastructure redevelopment, it also poses significant environmental and social risks, including increased vulnerability to flooding, coastal erosion, disruption of livelihood — especially fishing — loss of wetlands and biodiversity, constriction of the lagoons and their capacity, and impairment of water quality, amongst others,” he said in a statement released to The Guardian by Kunle Adesina, Director, Public Affairs, Lagos Ministry of Environment.

Conclusion

Flooding after heavy rainfall is a complex issue that requires a collaborative approach. Talk is cheap, but the Lagos State Government must upgrade infrastructure and enforce regulations around the Lekki Peninsula, while citizens should adopt sustainable practices and take community responsibility. Together, Lagosians can effectively address flooding challenges and build a more resilient urban environment.

It remains to be seen whether the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources will enforce some of these new laws in the coming months.

The guardian