Opposition voices in Lagos have blamed the state government’s environmental management and planning failures for the widespread flooding that crippled parts of the state on Tuesday, calling for an independent investigation, immediate relief for victims and stronger flood control measures.
The Lagos chapter of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) and the New Democratic Congress (NDC) governorship candidate, Funso Doherty, said the latest flooding exposed years of poor urban planning, inadequate drainage infrastructure and weak environmental governance, arguing that authorities must move beyond attributing the disaster solely to heavy rainfall and residents’ waste disposal habits.
In a statement on Tuesday, the APM described the recurring floods as evidence of government negligence, saying communities across Lagos continue to suffer avoidable losses whenever it rains.
“It is unacceptable that with every rainfall, communities across the state are thrown into fear and uncertainty,” the party said.
It noted that from Alimosho and Ikorodu to Agege, Oshodi, Lekki, Epe, Badagry and Surulere, roads became impassable, homes were submerged, businesses shut down, vehicles were damaged and families displaced.
