The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has blamed the recent flooding on parts of the Lagos–Calabar coastal highway on vandalism and indiscriminate waste disposal by residents.
Gatekeepers News reports that speaking at a press conference, Umahi said efforts to protect sections of the road have been undermined by acts of destruction, including the removal of protective installations.
“The fence we have done to protect the coastal roads is being destroyed by people,” the minister said.
“The green barbed wire we put to expose the beauty of the coastal roads in a number of sections is being cut and taken by people.”
He also disclosed that construction materials such as connecting rods, known as dowel bars, have been cut and removed by vandals.
Umahi cited ongoing work in Shagamu, explaining that the road has a total width of 12 metres, with nine metres already paved and the remaining three metres yet to be completed.
According to him, the flooding recorded on the coastal highway was caused by blocked underground drainage channels filled with refuse.
“And this is the basic reason why we even have flooding in most cases in Lagos, where people carry their daily refuse and then put it inside the manhole. I think the public has a duty to check these things,” he said.
The minister said the Federal Government is taking steps to ensure the highway is properly maintained and free of obstructions.
“We are doing everything possible to ensure that the coastal highway is free, just like other highways in the nation. We will visit Lagos in the next one week. We will also take the press with us. Whatever we need to do additionally, we will do it,” he stated.
Umahi stressed that the Ministry of Works is committed to delivering quality infrastructure and value for money.
“I want the public to know that in this ministry of works, no one is God. The public should know that no human being on earth is doing anything in perfect order,” he added.
“There is no need for people looking for faults, because you will definitely find fault if that programme is being executed by human beings.”
He also thanked the Lagos State Government and the state’s Commissioner of Police for deploying security personnel along the highway corridor to prevent further vandalism.
