The Federal Government has directed the dredging of the sand-filled Kuramo Lagoon in Lagos as part of efforts to tackle flooding in parts of the state, while insisting that the ongoing Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project is not responsible for the flooding recorded in the affected communities.
Minister of Works, David Umahi, disclosed this on Monday during an inspection of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project.
Umahi explained that investigations revealed that Kuramo Lagoon, designated under Lagos State’s drainage master plan as a major flood collection point, had been illegally reclaimed with sand by residents, preventing it from effectively serving its drainage purpose.
According to the minister, the Surveyor-General of the Federation has already installed a warning sign at the site to prevent further encroachment, while the Federal Government has ordered that the lagoon be dredged to remove the sand deposits and restore its natural water flow.
Addressing concerns that the coastal highway contributed to recent flooding in surrounding communities, Umahi dismissed the claims, maintaining that the project was not responsible for the situation.
He noted that the lagoon was designed to receive floodwater from the surrounding areas, stressing that the drainage system had been compromised by residents who obstructed its natural outlet.
“You cannot block the channel and be crying about flooding,” the minister said.
Umahi argued that, contrary to allegations, the coastal highway had enhanced drainage by providing infrastructure that channels floodwater away from vulnerable areas.
He also addressed complaints of flooding around Alpha Beach, one of the locations frequently linked to
