LASG removes over 1,500 structures to tackle flooding

Lagos State has intensified efforts to combat flooding by demolishing or removing 1,544 structures that were illegally built on drainage channels. These actions, taken between 2025 and April 2026, are part of a broader strategy by the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources to clear obstructions in the city's vital drainage network.

The Drainage Enforcement and Compliance Department identified a total of 2,218 structures impeding drainage alignments. The ministry reported a 70% success rate in clearing these obstructions, with the remaining 674 structures yet to be addressed. Drainage obstruction is a primary cause of the frequent flooding that plagues Lagos, a low-lying coastal megacity where heavy rainfall regularly inundates communities.

Beyond building removals, the department has made significant progress in restoring the city's drainage infrastructure. This includes the restoration of 12 kilometers of primary channels and the clearing of 123.5 meters of right-of-way. Additionally, rapid-response teams cleaned approximately 210 kilometers of secondary and tertiary drains across all 20 local government areas, providing crucial emergency interventions during flood events.

Nine facilities were also sealed for illegal wetland encroachment in areas like Ogombo and Lekki Phase II. The scale of this enforcement challenge highlights a long-standing issue in Lagos, where informal construction has historically expanded into areas designated for drainage and environmental protection, often without immediate consequences. The state has also awarded contracts for over 100 kilometers of new secondary collector drains and 30 kilometers of primary channels, aiming to significantly expand drainage capacity.