Lagos Govt Reaffirms Commitment to Flood Control, Honours Drainage Teams
- Dec 30, 2025
- 2 min read
The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening flood control infrastructure and improving drainage management across the state in 2026, following what it described as enhanced preparedness, coordination and rapid response to flooding incidents recorded during the 2025 rainy season. The government said lessons learnt from recent rainfall patterns, coupled with climate realities and urban expansion, have reinforced the need for sustained investment in flood mitigation strategies to protect lives, property and critical infrastructure in Africa’s most populous city.
The renewed commitment was disclosed by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment, Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu, during the Annual Zonal Awards of the Emergency Flood Abatement Gang (EFAG) and the Drainage Enforcement and Compliance Gang of the Ministry of the Environment, held at the ministry’s office in Alausa, Ikeja.
The ceremony featured the presentation of awards to outstanding workers who distinguished themselves in flood response, drainage clearing and environmental compliance throughout the year, in recognition of their dedication to duty and role in ensuring flood relief across communities in the state.
Rotimi-Akodu said the recognition was necessary to motivate the workers, noting that they are often the first responders during flooding incidents and play a critical role in restoring normalcy for residents affected by heavy rainfall.
He also revealed that meteorological reports had projected slightly higher rainfall levels in Lagos in 2025 compared to 2024, adding that the state’s ability to cope with the increased precipitation was largely due to advanced planning, inter-agency collaboration and the commitment of field officers.
“When there was flooding in some areas, within one day this team went round with our directors and engineers, did the work and the flood subsided. We were able to cope because we were prepared, and for next year we have to continue what we are doing and improve on it,” he said.
“We must also intensify public sensitisation. The idea of throwing waste into drainages must stop. Some people wait until it rains before disposing of refuse into water channels, and Lagos cannot accommodate that. Next year, we will construct more drains and canals and further empower this team because they are very germane to the functionality of the ministry,” he added.
The Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services and Water Resources, Mahamood Adegbite, said the award recipients were being celebrated for a job well done, commending the EFAG team for its consistent efforts in unblocking drainage channels and ensuring residents’ safety, as other senior officials of the ministry also lauded their contribution to flood management in Lagos State.
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