Flooding in Lagos State

The rainy season is a dreaded period in Lagos due to the flooding and accumulation of water in residential areas, houses are flooded and people are forced to flee their homes for safety. Year in, year out, tens of lives are lost and properties worth millions are destroyed as a result of flooding. One of the many reasons for floods in Lagos state is a lack of effective drainage infrastructure. Numerous waterways are being impeded by urbanization, and water diversions are being built despite their inherent risk. 

The lack of adequate waste management policies, structures, technologies, and poor urban planning has contributed to the constant rate of flooding in Lagos state, putting its over 15 million residents under water stress, leading to the death of hundreds of people, and displacing hundred of thousand. The incessant flooding however leads to groundwater pollution with a direct impact on health and the economy causing destruction of communication, power, and transportation facilities.

Our Proposal

The Lagos state government maintains urban open spaces as part of its environmental protection program; this method can also be used for water management. The environmental protection agency could contract drainage system management to estate authorities and private companies, which would also be a job creation strategy. Drainage systems (gutters) must be rebuilt to meet standard depth and height requirements, and they must be monitored and managed on a regular basis.
Wastewater in the municipalities should be directed to a wastewater treatment plant. Residents should be subjected to strict disciplinary measures and policies in order to ensure that waste disposal methods are safe and sustainable.

To secure the health and wellbeing of residents and improve the economy, we all need to save our environment, save the economy and build climate change resilience.