Severe Flooding Shuts Down Major Lagos Roads, Devastates Ogun Communities

By: Abdulwasiu Akintunde 

Devastating floods have overwhelmed several major roads in Lagos and also wreaked havoc in communities in neighboring Ogun State, following heavy rainfall from Tuesday to Wednesday morning. 

The downpours continued on Wednesday, disrupting economic activities as people struggled to reach their destinations due to flooded roads across both states. 

Key roads in Lagos, including Oworonshoki, Lekki-Epe Expressway, Ikeja, Alapere, Iyana-Oworo, Oshodi, Ile-epo, Abattoir, and Victoria Island, were submerged, causing severe traffic gridlocks in the country's commercial hub. 

Similarly, areas such as Epe, Eredo, Bogije, Labora, Abijon, Sangotedo, Awoyaya, and Ibeju-Lekki reported significant flooding. 

OPEN TELEVISION Naija revealed neighboring Ogun State, locations like Sango, Ota, Alagbado, Atan, Oju-ore, and Lusada were also surrounded by the floods.

OPEN TELEVISION Naija reports that some residents, speaking to journalists, blamed the flooding on blocked waterways caused by indiscriminate waste dumping and construction on drainage paths. 

A resident of Atan Ota, Abayomi Rufai, lamented that his properties, worth several millions of naira, were damaged by the heavy downpour. 

He attributed the flooding in his community to improper floodwater channelling and construction on drainage paths. 

Rufai called on the Ogun State government to intervene before the situation worsens. 

"I can't access my house and have to rely on commercial motorcycles because the road to my house is cut off from the main road due to the flood. Governor Dapo Abiodun should come to our aid before it becomes too late," Rufai stated.

Another resident of Labora in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos State, Similarly, Rasheed Abayomi, reported that his house was submerged due to the lack of a functional drainage system in the new housing site where he lives, resulting in water filling his home and destroying some of his belongings.

"There is too much water flowing into my compound and the entire house is submerged. I live in a new site where there is no drainage, causing water to run into residential homes and rendering us homeless because we can't sleep inside the water," Abayomi said. 

Another resident, Seyi Arowosaye, decried the persistent flooding on Ibeju-Lekki Expressway due to blocked drains.

Arowosaye called on Ibeju-Lekki Local Government authorities to clear the drainages and urged residents to stop dumping waste to control the flooding. 

He also urged the Lagos State Government to expedite road repairs in the Sangotedo area of Ibeju-Lekki. 

Mrs. Bola Fadugba lamented the impact of the heavy downpour and flooding in the Labora area. 

"I live in Labora, but during the rainy season, I relocate with my family to my younger sister's house in the Eputu area. Flooding has taken over my house due to the lack of drainage in the environment. Many areas in the metropolis are affected by flooding, the government should find a lasting solution to this persistent problem," Fadugba said.