Umahi blames the flooding of coastal roads on the failure to implement Lagos’ master plan

The Minister of Public Works, Senator Dave Umahi, has blamed the flooding of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway on the failure to implement a Lagos State flood master plan.

Umahi also attributed the flooding to indiscriminate dumping of waste by residents of Lagos State.

Umahi placed the blame during an inspection tour of section three of the Sokoto-Badagry Expressway on Sunday.

The minister said he would evaluate the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and its environs together with some members of the National Assembly on Tuesday.

“Tomorrow we will go and evaluate the coastal highway and its surroundings, not because we are causing the flood but because the President ordered us to go and technically evaluate it.

“We are calling the Lagos State Government because we have discovered that the Lagos State Master Plan in terms of floods has not been implemented.

“There are a number of designated points – lagoons – where the water should be drained. They have not been done,” Umahi said.

He expressed dissatisfaction with the amount of waste on the streets of Lagos, saying indiscriminate waste disposal had contributed greatly to the flooding of the streets.

“You can see the amount of waste even during our journey, you can see the indiscipline of Nigerians who carry waste to block drainage channels.

“This country belongs to all of us; so we have to work,” he said.

He commended President Bola Tinubu for efforts in infrastructure development, urging Nigerians to appreciate his efforts rather than engage in destructive criticism.

Umahi thanked the contractor managing the Sokoto-Badagry Expressway, Hitech Construction Company Ltd. for the efficiency.

“Hitech, you got 10% of the permanent job. This is mind-blowing.

“On the bridge you speak of, on the overpass, concentrate on your work.

“Let the Ogun State Government make its flyover. We cannot inherit a foundation we are not sure of. Let your work be like a service lane.”

The Minister of State for Works, Bello Muhammad Goronyo, expressed satisfaction with the pace of work on the highway.

“I am deeply happy and honored to be here on this stretch of Sokoto-Badagry Road.

“The engineer has already highlighted some of the results. They are working on six sections.

“This road started from Ilala, a town in Sokoto state, where I hail from,” he said.

He expressed hope that the road project would stimulate trade, improve agriculture and provide job opportunities.

“Once built, the road will be an enabler of growth and development and lead to prosperity.”

The minister commended Tinubu for his commitment to developing Nigeria’s infrastructure.

He commended Umahi for effective leadership and great vision.

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Works, Senator Allwell Onyesoh, described the highway project as gigantic, adding that all the projects inherited from the Tinubu administration should not be underestimated.

He urged Umahi to continue to lead Nigeria’s infrastructure development, expressing gratitude to Tinubu for his relentless efforts towards Nigeria’s progress.

He also encouraged Hitech to stay focused.