A climate Change Researcher and environmental health expert, Abeeb Ajagbe, has blamed the persistent issue of flooding in Lagos State on the residents’ attitude towards refuse disposal and construction challenges.
This comes in the wake of heavy flooding recorded in some parts of the state due to the heavy rainfall across the state in the month of September.
While speaking exclusively with TVC on Wednesday, Ajagbe stated that the continued improper disposal of waste by residents in major waterways and drainages is a clear cause of the recent flooding across the state’s flood-prone areas.
“Flooding in Lagos is multifaceted, and the angle we choose to look at it from often determines the explanation. If we take the urban planning perspective, the city has expanded rapidly without adequate infrastructure. Buildings are constructed on floodplains and wetlands, drainage systems are either inadequate or poorly maintained, and roads are not designed to handle heavy rainfall.
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“So one major way in which residents contribute is through poor waste disposal. As we all know, even evidently from following happenings on social media, we can see how people dump refuse into gutters, canals, and waterways, which blocks drainage and prevents water from flowing freely,” he explained.
Ajagbe has called for the re-education of citizens on issues related to flooding, stressing that a lack of understanding about the link between improper waste disposal and flooding is the primary cause of the disconnect between community and government efforts.
“Relating that to the Lagos case, we reorientation to educate residents on the link between dumping and flooding, showing how proper disposal protects their homes and health. The link between community engagement with the government must be stronger.”
“I recently worked on a project around the coastal areas, the Ilaje and co, and it was on residents’ attitude towards relocation amidst sea level rise. And one thing is that there is a wide disconnect between the proposed solution by the government policies and what the people actually want.
“We need to understand their perspectives towards waste disposal, what do the people want, what are the best practices that meet the best result that we want.
“That is why we need reeducation. The attitude towards waste management is very important. People need to see the reason why this is done,” Ajagbe expressed.
Ajagbe also addressed the issue of recurring land reclamation by construction companies. He explained that these companies often prioritise financial gain without considering the significant environmental hazards caused by their activities.
The expert commended the recent directive from the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment, which has halted all land reclamation projects across the state. He further criticised the selective enforcement of such policies in the past, noting that the new directive is a move that directly addresses the environmental concerns he had raised.
“If land is reclaimed, the natural path of water is blocked or redirected. Where is the path being directed towards? Is it economic gain over the environment?
“The laws are the law, and enforcement of planning laws is not to be joked about anywhere in the world.
“Because Mr A knows someone, his building will be spared, and Mr B’s house demolished because he does not know anyone.
“Kudos to the government in Lagos for announcing that all land reclamation efforts for construction purposes should be stopped. It is one thing to make laws, and it is another thing to make enforcement,” he concluded.