By Afolabi Hakim
Rain started in Lagos last year with a greater intensity which resulted in floodings, with many homes damaged across the state, especially in suburbs like Ikorodu, Makoko, Bariga, Ayobo to mention few.
In March last year, at a news conference on the 2020 seasonal rainfall predictions and prevention of flooding in Lagos, the Lagos state government issued a frightening warning to the residents concerning the Imminent havoc that is likely to be wreaked by incessant and torrential rainfall. In the petrifying forecast, the government explained that the state would witness a 240-day rainfall starting from that March.
Subsequently, the state government implored residents to brace up for the concomitant effects of 240 to 270 days rain to be witnessed in the southwest state in 2020.
Fast forward to 2021, the rains are here again and the old infrastructural deficit, administrative flaws and poor maintenance culture of yesteryears that accentuate this flooding predicament are yet to be addressed
The state is an enclave of two divides: the island and the mainland. The island part of the state, though infrastructurally and economically ahead of the mainland because it is peopled by the rich and well-to-do characters. The Island has been the worst hit by the flooding scourge. The problem of flooding on the island can also be attributed to its proximity to a large body of water, the sea, and the oceans. The mainland has had its fair share of the malaise, but not as debilitating as that of the Island. Much of what engendered floodings on the mainland can be attributed to the human cause than a natural phenomenon.
The issue of flooding in Lagos has become a perennial discourse that has continued to befuddle the government and relevant stakeholders. The challenges that have become synonymous with the hydra-headed monster that’s flooding are more of human design than the orchestration of nature.
For years now, government after government in Lagos has treated the issue of floodings in the state with scant regard, the administration of Alhaji Lateef jakande in the second republic, embarked on comprehensive construction of open drainage across the state to ameliorate the effects of floodings in the state. Still, government is a continuum and successive governments were expected to build on the laudable drainage projects of Alhaji Jakande, but this was not the case as all the governments of Lagos, be it civilian administration or military regime, after him have been found wanting when it comes to addressing challenges of flooding in the state.
However, while the government will readily take the bulk of the blame over the deplorable state of the drainage system in the state, it must be stated here, and now that the residents of the state contribute significantly to problems of flooding and drainage dilapidation in the state. Their aloofness and indifference to government property are shocking. Their actions and behaviours bring these drainages into a state of disrepair.
Building structures on water ways is a common practice engaged in by residents that undermines the effort of the government to tackle flooding scourge, it is not uncommon for you to see petty traders mount their kiosk or any other physical makeshift business paraphernalia on waterways. How do we describe a situation where a mentally stable person empties his refuse bin into the drainage?
The activities, as mentioned above of the residents, render the little effort of the government in finding a lasting solution to flooding problems insignificant.
A decade after its creation in 1967, Lagos State instituted a Refuse Disposal Board (LSRDB) under Edict No. 9 of 1977, which was the first of its kind in West Africa. The Board was given the responsibilities of environmental sanitation and domestic refuse collection and disposal in Lagos State.
The Board was renamed the Lagos State Waste Management Authority via the enactment of a new Law – Edict No. 55 of 1991, which conferred on the Authority additional responsibilities for the collection and disposal of municipal and industrial wastes as well as provision of commercial waste services to the State and Local Governments of Lagos State.
The Board metamorphosed over the years into the agency known today as the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) by the LAWMA Law 2007, and accrued added responsibilities ranging from management of commercial, industrial, and medical waste streams, highway sanitation, cleaning of drainage and other water bodies, to construction and demolition waste management, among others. LAWMA works closely with the Lagos State Ministry of Environment and has initiated reforms regarding the collection of waste bills and also aims to increase Waste recycling.
Despite having a well-established waste management agency whose existence spans nearly forty years, one would have thought that proper waste disposal — a precursor to the mitigation of flooding would have by now, become ingrained in the consciousness of the people, the opposite is the case, it is as though the residents find solace in indiscriminate dumping of refuse and waste.
However, there are some arrangements and mode of operations of LAWMA that encourage this appalling behavior from the residents. It’s not uncommon to find a big and imposing opened container stationed at strategic locations, mostly by the roadside, in the state by LAWMA; one cannot tell what the motive behind this idea is. Still, one can tell, with a considerable degree of certainty, that such a decision is counterproductive.
Also, when men of LAWMA excavate specks of dirt from drainage to ensure a free flow of water, one would expect that the heap of refuse would be transferred into airtight bags or metal containers, for onward disposal at designated dumping site, but they are left by the roadside on the edge of the drainage where they spilled back into the water ways, hence defeating the purpose of excavation in the first instance.
The government is as culpable as the residents when it comes to floodings; in fact, they should take the lion chunk of the blame. Successive governments have not lived up to the billing when it comes to tackling floodings. The architectural layout of these drainages is poorly thought out and even defeats the essence of constructing them in the first place.
The construction of most of these drainages impedes the free flow of water; they are shallow and lack the width and depth of a contemporary and ideal drainage system. The government needs to take a cue from the way things are being done in foreign developed countries if they are serious about finding a lasting solution to the existential threat of flooding in the state.
The government will have to be more pragmatic and practical in tackling flooding, the architectural aspect of the drainage systems will have to be re-evaluated, big drainages with enough depth and width will have to replace the commonplace shallow water passages that pass for drainage. These drainages must also be completely covered so that it can serve as a walk way for pedestrians and also prevent refuse and dirt from getting into the drainage hence preventing it from being clogged. The drainages and other bodies of water must also be connected and linked to one another.
The issue of water channeling must also be addressed, where is the water channeled to? Is it diverted to a larger body of water, like the ocean or the sea, or is it being treated and refined for other use? The government also need to pay serious attention to recycling, aside from helping to deal with the scourge of indiscriminate dumping of refuse, recycling can also create a source of revenue for the government. The government can also build a recycling plant or outsource it to a private firm. They can also design a strategy where residents are asked to bring in their plastic, rubber, and nylon waste for a token. The financial reward will dissuade most from indiscriminate dumping of wastes
Also, the corruption of project awarding needs to be addressed; the awarding of the drainage construction contracts are mired in opaqueness and in most cases shielded from public scrutiny. It’s often done on a quid pro quo basis. This contract awarded to friends and cronies as a way of returning favour and assistance because in politics nobody does something for nothing. Other times, the contracts are awarded to companies who are fronts for politicians. These contractors, who lacked the wherewithal and technical know-how, ended up doing shoddy work. And the lack of oversight from the legislators and relevant agencies makes matters worse.
For the issue of floodings to be tackled holistically, the government needs to be more pragmatic, forthcoming, and proactive than it is. Also, the issues raised must be wholly and decisively addressed.
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