By Gabriel Ewepu

ABUJA – THE Federal Government, yesterday, assured of working closely with the Lagos State Government to address flooding, water supply and sanitation challenges.

According to a statement signed by the Director, Information and Public Relations Department, Funmi Imuetinyan, the move is to enhance the resilience of communities through sustainable infrastructure and collaborative interventions.

Meanwhile, the statement said the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr Joseph Utsev made the assurance during an assessment visit to flood-prone communities and critical water infrastructure in Lagos State.

Utsev described Lagos as one of Africa’s fastest-growing cities, stressing that whatever affects Lagos has significant implications for Nigeria and the African continent while he explained that the assessment forms part of the Federal Government’s nationwide initiative to evaluate water resources, sanitation, hygiene, and flood-related challenges across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, with a view to developing practical, long-term solutions.

According to the Minister, the visit provides an opportunity to identify areas requiring urgent intervention while strengthening collaboration among the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, the Lagos State Government, development partners, and the private sector.

Meanwhile, he commended the Lagos State Government, the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), and the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority for the proactive measures being implemented to mitigate flooding and improve water resources management across the state.

During the assessment tour, the Minister and his delegation and top Lagos State officials visited the Ilubirin Mechanical Pumping Station on Lagos Island; the Signal Barracks Primary Drainage Channel in Ajegunle; the System five Drainage Channel in Apapa-Iganmu Local Council Development Area; the Ilo-Awela River in Alimosho Local Government Area; Public Toilet to end Open Defection at Orile Iganmu and the Ogombo River off the Lagos Coastal Highway corridor.

He said: “The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu believes strongly in collaboration.

“We will continue to engage the Lagos State Government, the private sector, and development partners to develop sustainable mechanisms that will address the challenges we have observed and improve the living conditions of the people.”

However, the Minister frowned at the indiscriminate wastes disposal into drainage channels by residents, and this act has remained a major contributor to urban flooding, therefore, he appealed to residents to support government efforts by protecting drainage infrastructure and maintaining a clean environment.

He also spoke about the effectiveness of some of the innovative flood control measures already deployed by the Lagos State Government, particularly the Ilubirin Mechanical Pumping Station, which is designed to channel excess floodwater into the lagoon, which he described the initiative as a practical engineering solution that deserves greater support and replication where necessary.

On the action to address the issues of flooding in Lagos State, the Minister explained that comprehensive engineering assessments and detailed designs would be undertaken before determining the scope, cost, and implementation timeline of additional interventions.

He added that opportunities for integrating hydropower generation into future water infrastructure projects would also be explored where technically feasible, creating employment opportunities while improving infrastructure sustainability.

In his remarks, the Director-General of the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), Arc. Umar Ibrahim Mohammed, explained the Federal Government’s flood mitigation efforts are being guided by scientific forecasts and hydrological data.

Mohammed also recalled that the 2026 Annual Flood Outlook projected above-normal rainfall across many parts of the country, warning that continued rainfall could result in additional flooding due to climate variability and changing hydrological patterns.

According to him, while the Government is not hoping for further flooding, the prevailing climatic conditions require sustained vigilance, continuous early warning dissemination, and proactive responses from all stakeholders.

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with the Lagos State Government to address flooding, improve water supply and sanitation as well as enhance the resilience of communities through sustainable infrastructure and collaborative interventions.

Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor of Lagos State on Environment, Engr. Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu, said the state government had issued several early warning advisories ahead of the rainy season using forecasts from relevant agencies, including the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority.

He noted that residents in vulnerable communities were sensitised through conventional and digital media platforms to prepare for possible flooding, while the state continues to invest in innovative flood management infrastructure such as the Ilubirin Mechanical Pumping Station, which has significantly reduced flooding in parts of Lagos Island.

Engr. Rotimi-Akodu welcomed the Federal Government’s intervention, particularly in areas where flooding affects communities across state boundaries, expressing confidence that stronger collaboration would accelerate the delivery of lasting and sustainable solutions.

A resident of Ilo-Awela in Alimosho Local Government Area, Mr. Lawal Sunday, expressed appreciation to the Lagos State Government for previous erosion control interventions and appealed to the Federal Government to expedite the construction of the proposed bridge serving the community.

Sunday said the project would significantly improve access, reduce hardship, and enhance the quality of life of residents, while also urging continued public enlightenment to discourage indiscriminate dumping of refuse into drainage channels.