Ikota, Lekki Residents Cry Out Over Flooding, Demand Enforcement of Planning Laws

Residents of Ikota and parts of Lekki in Lagos State have issued a Save-Our-Souls (SOS) appeal to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu after Tuesday’s heavy rainfall left homes, streets, and businesses submerged.

The downpour, they said, turned their neighborhoods into flood zones, destroying property and forcing families to scramble for safety.

“This is no way to live,” lamented one distraught resident. “Every rainfall is a disaster. We are losing everything while the government watches.”

Residents attributed the recurring floods to man-made causes, particularly illegal structures erected on canals and drainage routes, including the critical System 156 and 157 channels.

“Until the government restores this area according to the original master plan, the flooding will not stop,” another homeowner said while standing in knee-deep water.

Urban planners confirm that Lagos’ master plan forbids construction on waterways, but enforcement has remained weak and, in some cases, selective. Community members also accused the state of shielding powerful developers while ordinary Lagosians suffer the consequences.

Beyond damaged homes and businesses, the flooding has displaced families, threatened livelihoods, and raised public health concerns as stagnant water increases the risk of disease outbreaks.

Environmental advocates warn that Lagos is heading toward a greater crisis unless the state urgently clears blocked canals and removes illegal encroachments.

“Every illegal structure is a ticking time bomb for nearby communities once the rains return,” an activist cautioned.

As residents of Ikota and Lekki count their losses, their appeal to the state government remains clear: enforce planning laws, clear the System 156 and 157 drainage channels, and prevent another rainy season from turning their communities into disaster zones.

Opinion Nigeria News