Stakeholders seek probe into coastal road alignment over Lagos flooding

As many Lagos residents continue to reel from the devastating impact of flooding in the state over the past few days, concerned real estate stakeholders have called for an independent investigation into the cause of the unusual flooding.

The stakeholders specifically want a probe to ascertain whether the alignment and design of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway contributed to the severe flooding experienced in the state, especially in the highway’s surrounding communities.

Stella Okengwu and Stephen Akintayo, CEO of Winhomes Limited and Chairman of Gtext Holdings, respectively, are among the frontline stakeholders making this call.

The duo, who are estate developers, spoke separately during a television programme last weekend, arguing that while Lagos has historically experienced flooding, the scale witnessed this year has raised legitimate questions that require technical and environmental assessment rather than political arguments.

Okengwu commended Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the state Commissioner for the Environment, Tokunbo Wahab, for their efforts to mitigate the flooding but insisted that experts should objectively examine whether changes made to the original 2006 gazetted alignment of the coastal highway and aspects of its drainage design may have worsened the flooding.

“Lagos has always experienced flooding. This is not in dispute. But many residents would agree that what we are witnessing today appears more widespread and severer than in previous years.

“I believe it is both reasonable and necessary for experts to objectively examine whether aspects of the road design, construction, drainage system and any departure from the 2006 gazetted alignment may have contributed in any way to this current situation,” she said.

Okengwu said she had raised similar concerns during the planning stage of the project, stressing that her objections were based on engineering considerations rather than personal interest.

According to her, the original gazetted route had already undergone the necessary environmental assessments before the alignment was altered.

Okengwu, an engineer by profession, alleged that after questioning the project, the road alignment was redirected through her estate, resulting in the demolition of properties.

She recalled that the engagements she had with David Umahi,  the Minister of Works, over the issue were unsatisfactory, alleging that concerns about the environmental impact assessment were dismissed.

The Winhomes CEO also renewed her call for compensation, saying she and other investors had committed significant resources to Nigeria after encouraging diaspora and foreign investors to invest in the country.

She expressed concern that the experience had undermined investor confidence, noting that many investors now question whether properties developed with valid government approvals could still be demolished without compensation.

According to her, attracting investment requires not only infrastructure development but also respect for due process, environmental regulations and the rule of law.

On the role of the Lagos State government, Okengwu maintained that the state should not be blamed for the demolitions, arguing that the Federal Ministry of Works handled the exercise while the state government has focused on mitigating the impact of the flooding.

Akintayo noted that the flooding was the result of several factors, including blocked drainage channels, poor environmental planning and the construction of the coastal highway at a level significantly higher than surrounding communities.

He argued that the elevation of the highway had created difficulty for floodwater to drain naturally from adjoining areas.

According to him, the challenge was not the coastal highway itself but the decision to deviate from the original gazetted route closer to the Atlantic coastline.

He explained that moving the road further inland created what he described as a “valley effect,” making it more difficult for water to flow out of neighbouring communities.

Akintayo also rejected suggestions that property developers were primarily responsible for the flooding, noting that developers obtain government approvals before embarking on projects and are subjected to inspections by relevant agencies.

He alleged that irregular approvals granted by some government officials should also be investigated, rather than placing blanket blame on developers.

While acknowledging that some developers may have violated regulations, he insisted that those found culpable should face sanctions instead of wholesale demolition of investments worth billions of naira.

The real estate investor proposed the establishment of an independent compensation fund jointly managed by the Federal and Lagos State governments and industry stakeholders to address losses arising from the coastal highway project.

He also called for greater collaboration between government and the private sector to restore investor confidence, warning that uncertainty surrounding property rights was discouraging both local and diaspora investment in Nigeria’s real estate sector.

Akintayo maintained that while the coastal highway remains an important infrastructure project, its implementation should balance developmental objectives with environmental sustainability, adherence to approved planning frameworks and adequate protection for legitimate investors.