Residents of Baruwa/Igbo Efon community on the Lekki-Epe axis of Lagos State have called for government intervention to salvage the area from devastating floods.

The communities linked the flooding to the open water drainage channel directed into the area from the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, noting that the development has resulted in persistent flooding of residential compounds and access roads, while structurally weakening and damaging buildings and perimeter fences.

Specifically, they lamented that the flooding has resulted in the destruction of household properties and personal belongings, increased health risks arising from stagnant and contaminated floodwater, and severe disruption to transportation and movement within the community.

Speaking to journalists, the Chairman of the residents’ association in the area, Atanda Mudashiru, and the Secretary, Zacheus Aladejobi, said the floodwater had led to loss of business income due to reduced accessibility and flooding of shops and commercial premises.

Besides, they added that the flooding has caused fear, anxiety, and displacement among vulnerable residents, including children and the elderly.

In a “Save Our Soul” message signed by the duo and sent to the Federal Government through the Federal Controller of Works, Lagos, the residents called on the federal authorities to urgently intervene and stop the devastating open water discharge into the community.

They urged that this should be done before the peak of the rainy season to prevent further escalation of the damage and suffering within the community.

“We write on behalf of the residents, landlords, business owners, and families within the Baruwa/Igbo Efon community to urgently draw your attention to the worsening environmental and humanitarian situation caused by the open water discharge drain connected to the ongoing Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road project.

“The current drainage discharge arrangement has become a major threat to lives, properties, businesses, and the overall wellbeing of our community. Large volumes of stormwater are being channelled directly into residential and commercial areas without adequate containment, diversion, or supporting drainage infrastructure,” the community said.

The letter warned that the situation had become extremely alarming and required immediate emergency intervention to avert an impending disaster.

The community leaders said over 250 houses are presently exposed to direct flooding risks and structural damage, adding that more than 1,200 residents and family members have been affected by the recurring water overflow and environmental hazards.

The community added: “Approximately 80 small and medium-scale businesses within the axis are already experiencing operational disruption and financial losses.

“Residents now live in constant fear that heavier rainfall in the coming weeks may result in catastrophic flooding, collapse of weak structures, destruction of livelihoods, and possible loss of lives.”

The residents’ association further appealed to the Federal Government to urgently conduct a technical inspection of the affected areas within the Baruwa/Igbo Efon community; deploy emergency drainage control and flood mitigation measures; and construct appropriate discharge channels, retention systems, and flood-control infrastructure capable of safely managing stormwater from the coastal road project.

The residents also requested that the office of the Federal Controller of Works, Lagos, engage directly with community representatives and affected residents to develop sustainable long-term solutions.

The association further urged the authorities to ensure that contractors handling the project implement proper environmental and drainage management safeguards.

“We acknowledge and appreciate the Federal Government’s commitment to infrastructure development through the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road project. However, such development should not come at the expense of the safety, homes, businesses, and livelihoods of innocent citizens.

“This is therefore a passionate Save Our Soul appeal for urgent government intervention before the peak of the rainy season further escalates the damage and suffering within our community,” the community said. (Guardian)

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