Residents of flood-prone communities in Lagos have attributed the persistent flooding across parts of the state to indiscriminate waste disposal, saying blocked drainage channels continue to damage property, disrupt businesses and pose serious health risks.
The residents, who spoke in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday, urged members of the public to adopt proper waste disposal practices while calling on authorities to strengthen enforcement against environmental offenders.
A trader at Mile 12 Market, Mrs. Jagila Bakare, said drainage channels around the market are frequently blocked by plastic waste and food remnants, preventing floodwater from flowing freely after heavy 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.
Similarly, a resident of Ajegunle, Mrs. Chinweike Agbai, lamented that flooding has become a recurring challenge in her neighbourhood due to the habit of dumping 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.
At Jankara Market, trader Mr. Sunday Onyeagha said floodwaters often mix with heaps of waste, making movement difficult and exposing residents to various health hazards.
“Apart from damaging goods, it creates an unhealthy environment. Proper waste disposal will make a big difference,” he said.
Also speaking, President of the Association of Scraps and Wastepickers of Lagos (ASWOL), Mr. Friday Oku, blamed much of the flooding experienced in the state on poor waste management practices.
According to him, Lagos generates about 13,000 tonnes of waste daily, with indiscriminate disposal of plastics and other refuse into drainage channels and waterways obstructing 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,” Oku said.
He stressed that proper waste disposal, regular evacuation of refuse and sustained public awareness campaigns are essential to reducing flood risks across the state.
According to the reports, persistent rainfall has continued to trigger flooding in several parts of Lagos, disrupting transportation, commercial activities and the daily lives of residents.
The Lagos State Government has repeatedly warned residents against dumping refuse on roads and into drainage channels, insisting that public cooperation is critical to effective flood control.
The government said it has intensified waste evacuation, desilting of drainage systems and enforcement against structures obstructing drainage alignments as part of ongoing efforts to mitigate flooding.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has warned of an increased risk of flash floods in Lagos and other coastal states as rainfall persists, urging residents to remain vigilant and observe necessary safety precautions.
The Lagos State Ministry of Health has also cautioned that blocked drains and contaminated floodwaters could heighten the risk of disease outbreaks during the rainy season.
Stakeholders, however, maintained that while continued investment in drainage infrastructure remains necessary, responsible waste disposal by residents is equally vital to safeguarding lives, livelihoods and property.
