Persistent flooding in Lagos has been attributed to poor planning and bad habits by Mr. Saheed Adelakun, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria Integrated Social Housing Cooperative Society Ltd.
According to Adelakun, the habit of dropping refuse indiscriminately must be brought to an end to mitigate the flooding problem. He emphasized that residents should learn to obey rules and regulations, stating that “our flooding problem is not just infrastructure, it is habit. You finish eating and drop bottles or can anywhere. Where do they end up at the end of the day? We should start by changing our attitude towards infrastructure, and that would solve half of the problem.”
The Lagos State Government has been commended for its efforts to deflood some areas, and Adelakun suggested that such methods could be employed in the Lekki area, which has experienced significant flooding in recent weeks. He noted that “unlike Abuja, Lagos was not properly planned. One solution is to destroy Lagos and start all over, and that is a no-go area. I can see the Lagos State government doing something about flooding. They brought in a machine to deflood certain areas. They can also make that go round, especially in Lekki.”
The fifth edition of Big 5 Construct Nigeria, held at the Landmark Centre in Lagos, provided a platform for industry stakeholders to discuss solutions to the state’s infrastructure challenges. Josine Heijmans, Senior Vice President at DMG Events, the organizer of Big 5 Construct, said the event was in alignment with the long-term goals of the Nigerian government to develop housing and improve infrastructure. According to Heijmans, “Big 5 Construct is a place where people can come to learn best practices. We have seen that there are more and more participants. This year, we have over 160 participants both locally and internationally.”
The event featured presentations from local and international suppliers showcasing the latest solutions for construction projects. Hady Farhat, Managing Director of Bifem Paralu, expressed delight in being part of Big 5 Construct Nigeria, where they engage with clients, strengthen networks, and contribute to conversations that will define the future of construction in Nigeria.
The Lagos State Government has been working to address flooding in the state, with the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, explaining that flooding in Lagos is driven by geography and climate realities rather than political failings. Wahab outlined the government’s three-part approach to addressing flooding, which includes temporarily storing rainwater, widening and clearing drainage channels, and installing pumps or one-way valves in low-lying areas.
The government’s efforts to address flooding have been welcomed by residents and stakeholders, who are eager to see an end to the perennial problem. The Lagos State Government’s approach to addressing flooding is a step in the right direction, and it is hoped that the efforts will yield positive results.
The event provided a platform for industry stakeholders to discuss solutions to the state’s infrastructure challenges, and it is expected that the discussions will lead to meaningful solutions to the flooding problem in Lagos.
