The Federal Government has attributed the flooding recorded on a section of the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway after Tuesday’s rainfall to vandalism and indiscriminate waste disposal, dismissing claims of construction defects.
The Federal Controller of Works in Lagos State, Mr. Olufemi Dare, clarified the situation on Wednesday while addressing journalists in Lagos. He said viral videos suggesting that the flooding resulted from poor construction were misleading and did not reflect the true cause of the incident.
According to Dare, the highway was constructed with a comprehensive underground drainage system featuring 1.2-metre-diameter pipes designed to channel stormwater efficiently across the stretch of the road. He explained that the drainage network includes reinforced concrete manhole covers built to withstand both vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
“What we have here is not a construction error. It is man-made,” he stated. “Vandals remove the concrete manhole covers, break them, and take away the iron reinforcements to sell. After removing the covers, some people dump refuse inside the manholes, thereby blocking the drainage system. When rain falls, the water cannot pass through, and it results in flooding.”
Dare disclosed that the vandalism was extensive, with manhole covers reportedly removed from Eko Atlantic along the entire corridor. He also revealed that about 50 steel sections of the perimeter fence were stolen overnight, while seven steel traffic signs were recently taken.
He described the development as unfortunate, stressing that the coastal highway is a major federal investment requiring collective protection.
The controller said officials of Hitech Construction Company worked late into Tuesday night to clear debris from the blocked drains and restore water flow. He added that security had been strengthened in the area, with police deployment and joint operations targeting criminal activity.
Dare reiterated that commercial motorcycling remains banned on the highway and warned against traffic violations, emphasizing that strict enforcement would continue.
He further announced that the road would be temporarily closed from midnight Friday to 12:30 p.m. Saturday for the Access Bank Marathon.
