Improper waste disposal worsens Lagos flooding, residents lament
Waste
Residents of flood-prone communities in Lagos have blamed indiscriminate waste disposal for worsening flooding, saying blocked drainage channels continue to destroy property, disrupt businesses and threaten public health.
The residents spoke in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos, calling for greater public responsibility in waste disposal and stricter enforcement against environmental offenders.
Mrs Jagila Bakare, a trader at Mile 12 Market, said drainage channels around the market were often clogged with plastic waste and food remnants, preventing floodwater from receding after rainfall.
“Each time it rains, the drains overflow because they are filled with refuse. Customers stay away, and many of us lose business because people cannot access the market,” she said.
Mrs Chinweike Agbai, a resident of Ajegunle, said flooding had become a recurring nightmare in her community because many people still dumped refuse into gutters.
“The water enters our homes almost every time it rains. We spend money replacing damaged furniture and cleaning up after every flood,” she said.
Also speaking, Mr Sunday Onyeagha, a trader at Jankara Market, said floodwaters mixed with waste, making movement difficult and exposing residents to health risks.
“Apart from damaging goods, it creates an unhealthy environment. Proper waste disposal will make a big difference,” he said.
The President of the Association of Scraps and Wastepickers of Lagos (ASWOL), Mr Friday Oku, attributed much of the flooding experienced in the state to poor waste management.
Oku said Lagos generated about 13,000 tonnes of waste daily, warning that indiscriminate disposal of plastics and other refuse into drains and waterways obstructed the free flow of stormwater.
“It is not the rain alone that causes flooding. When drainage channels are blocked by plastics and other waste, water has nowhere to go and ends up flooding homes, businesses and roads,” he said.
According to him, proper waste disposal, regular evacuation of refuse and increased public awareness are critical to reducing flood risks.
NAN reports that persistent rainfall has continued to trigger flooding in parts of Lagos, disrupting transportation, commercial activities and daily life.
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The Lagos State Government has repeatedly urged residents to stop dumping refuse on roads and into drainage channels, stressing that public cooperation is essential to effective flood control.
The government said it had intensified waste evacuation, drainage clearing and enforcement against structures obstructing drainage alignments as part of measures to mitigate flooding.
Also, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency has warned of increased risks of flash flooding in Lagos and other coastal states due to continued rainfall, advising residents to remain vigilant and observe safety precautions.
The Lagos State Ministry of Health also warned that blocked drains and contaminated floodwaters could increase the risk of disease outbreaks during the rainy season.
Stakeholders, however, maintained that while investment in drainage infrastructure remained important, responsible waste disposal by residents was indispensable to protecting lives, livelihoods and property. (NAN)
