Lagos State Government has maintained that the ongoing interventions on drainage channels, wetlands, and floodplains have significantly reduced the impact of heavy rainfall despite the effects of climate change, even as it cautioned critics against politicking.

The state Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, stated this yesterday in an interview with newsmen after inspecting drainage channels and flood-prone areas at Oniru, Chevron Drive, Agungi-Ajiran, Freedom Road, and Orange Island.

Speaking on the backlash that followed flash floods occasioned by persistent rainfall across the metropolis, attracting public criticism with knock-on government blaming it on inefficiency, he described it as 'unacceptable'. The commissioner, however, condemned public comments where some persons had chosen to politicise flooding despite the efforts of officials working to mitigate its impact.

Wahab said, 'Yes, they are politicising it, but that is what they want to do this season. They are not giving this team enough flowers for the work they have been doing.' The commissioner explained that the inspection was also aimed at engaging residents on measures being taken by the government and identifying areas requiring permanent engineering solutions.

The Lagos State Government has been criticized for its handling of the flooding, with many residents feeling that the government has not done enough to provide adequate drainage infrastructure in the city. However, officials claim that the ongoing interventions have significantly reduced the impact of the flooding.

The state government has also been working to strengthen waste collection across the state, with an aim to reduce the amount of waste that ends up in the drainage system. Wahab said, 'We can only take them to court when they are caught, and, in fairness, in the past few months, we have prosecuted, and we will keep prosecuting most of these persons that commit this infraction.'

The Lagos State Government plans to deploy between 140 and 150 additional waste compactors and accelerate the transition from a linear waste disposal system to waste recovery. Wahab said, 'The governor has said they are bringing in about 140 to 150 compactors to augment what LAWMA is having at the moment.'

The state government has also been working to remove encroachments along drainage channels, with a view to reducing the amount of flash flooding. Wahab said, 'Within 72 hours, we have seen a remarkable improvement in the discharging point of the downstream to salvage what is happening in the Ajiran village and neighbouring places.'

The inspection was part of efforts to ensure that residents are aware of the measures being taken by the government to mitigate the impact of flooding. Officials have been working with residents to identify areas requiring permanent engineering solutions and to engage them on the measures being taken by the government.

The Lagos State Government has been working to strengthen waste collection across the state, with an aim to reduce the amount of waste that ends up in the drainage system. Wahab said, 'We also need to ramp up advocacy and, on the part of LAWMA and the PSP operators, ramp up capacity too.'

And as the state government continues to work towards reducing the impact of flooding, officials have warned critics to stop politicising the issue.

Lagos State Government's Efforts to Mitigate Flooding

  • Lagos State Government has deployed between 140 and 150 additional waste compactors
  • Officials have been working to remove encroachments along drainage channels
  • The state government has been strengthening waste collection across the state
  • Officials have been working with residents to identify areas requiring permanent engineering solutions
  • The Lagos State Government has been working to accelerate the transition from a linear waste disposal system to waste recovery

What This Means for Lagos Residents

  • Residents can expect to see improvements in the drainage system as the state government continues to work towards reducing the impact of flooding
  • The state government's efforts to strengthen waste collection across the state may help to reduce the amount of waste that ends up in the drainage system
  • Officials have warned critics to stop politicising the issue of flooding

Next Steps for the Lagos State Government

  • Officials will continue to work towards reducing the impact of flooding
  • The state government will continue to strengthen waste collection across the state
  • Officials will continue to work with residents to identify areas requiring permanent engineering solutions