Lagos Explains Why Bad Roads May Persist Despite Ongoing Repairs

(Tokunbo Ajanaku. Photo by News Express)

The Lagos State Public Works Corporation has appealed to residents for understanding as the state contends with prolonged rainy seasons that have led to widespread flooding and damage to roads and other public infrastructure.

The agency’s Director of Public Affairs, Samuel Ayetutu, disclosed this in a statement issued on behalf of the General Manager, Tokunbo Ajanaku, on Thursday, acknowledging the inconvenience being faced by motorists, commuters and residents due to the deterioration of some roads across the state, while assuring Lagosians that efforts were ongoing to keep the road network safe and motorable.

Speaking on the corporation’s response, Ajanaku explained that the unusually heavy rainfall being experienced was not peculiar to Lagos, noting that many cities globally have similarly witnessed flooding and extensive damage to public infrastructure.

He noted, however, that the challenge is more pronounced in Lagos owing to the state’s unique terrain, with large portions lying below sea level, making roads particularly vulnerable to persistent groundwater pressure and heavy rainfall.

He disclosed that the corporation had made use of the last dry season to carry out extensive road maintenance and rehabilitation across the state, significantly improving many roads before the onset of the rains.

He explained, however, that the continuous downpour had limited the effectiveness of permanent repairs, since asphalt works require dry conditions to achieve durability and long-term performance.

According to him, while the corporation has continued deploying maintenance teams across the state to carry out palliative interventions and pothole repairs where conditions permit, many of the current repairs remain temporary measures intended to provide immediate relief and safer passage for road users.

Ajanaku said the corporation’s engineers were monitoring road conditions across Lagos and carrying out emergency interventions wherever technically feasible, with plans to commence comprehensive and permanent repairs once weather conditions improve, stressing that delivering durable, long-term solutions remains the corporation’s priority.

He further urged residents to support government efforts by protecting public infrastructure, cautioning against the indiscriminate dumping of refuse into drainage channels, warning that blocked drains worsen flooding, accelerate road deterioration and increase the cost of road maintenance across the state.

The appeal comes amid growing public concern over flooding in Lagos following weeks of persistent rainfall, with motorists and commuters reporting a rise in potholes, failed road sections and traffic congestion.

The state government has intensified efforts to mitigate the impact of the rainy season through continuous clearing of drainage channels and flood monitoring.