Nigeria's Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has addressed concerns that the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway could be submerged by flooding. He made the statement on Channels Television's Sunday Politics, dismissing claims that the highway was responsible for flooding in parts of Lagos State. Umahi emphasized that the road was deliberately designed to withstand rising water levels. The minister's assurance comes amid worries about the impact of climate change on infrastructure projects.
According to Umahi, flooding in communities along the coastal corridor predates the highway project and affects properties on both sides of the road. He explained that several buildings in the area were constructed decades ago, before climate change and rising flood levels became major concerns. The minister noted that when the project started, many existing structures had lasted for 50 years, with the ocean on one side and the lagoon on the other.
Umahi highlighted that drainage arrangements in the area channel water from properties towards the lagoon, which eventually connects to the ocean. He stated that many existing buildings were constructed below what is now considered the flood level, when climate change was not a significant concern. The minister emphasized that studies carried out before construction showed that the highway needed to be raised above the existing flood level.
The minister argued that the highway's design takes into account the need to raise the road above the flood level, which is higher than the level of existing premises. He noted that this design decision was based on studies and not a response to current flooding issues. Umahi also pointed out that flooding on both sides of the coastal corridor indicates that the highway is not responsible for the problem.
Umahi attributed the rising flood levels to global warming and climate change, noting that many properties along the corridor were built when environmental conditions were different. He questioned whether the effects of climate change and unusual flooding could be ignored. The minister emphasized that the coastal highway has been constructed above the flood level and is not responsible for flooding in surrounding areas.
The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway has been a significant infrastructure project in Nigeria, with the government investing heavily in its construction. Umahi's assurance that the highway is designed to withstand flooding is likely to alleviate concerns among residents and users of the road. The minister's comments also highlight the need for sustainable infrastructure design in the face of climate change.
In conclusion, Umahi maintained that the coastal highway is not flooded and will never get flooded, citing its design and construction above the flood level. He emphasized that the highway is a well-planned infrastructure project that takes into account the environmental challenges posed by climate change. The minister's statement is expected to reassure stakeholders about the safety and sustainability of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.
Key points
- The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway was designed to withstand rising water levels and flooding.
- Existing buildings along the coastal corridor were constructed below the current flood level, before climate change became a major concern.
- The highway's design takes into account the need to raise the road above the existing flood level.
