By Oluwaseun Nubi
The Chairman of Kosofe Local Government Area of Lagos State, Mr Moyosore Ogunlewe, has attributed persistent flooding in the area and obstruction of drainage channels to indiscriminate refuse disposal.
Ogunlewe, in a statement on Tuesday, identified Oworonsoki, Ifako, Ogudu and Mende as some of the communities experiencing recurring flooding, describing the situation as largely man-made.
He noted that the crisis could be significantly reduced if residents adopted better environmental practices and stopped dumping waste into drainage systems.
“Indiscriminate waste disposal and blocked drainage continue to undermine government efforts to ensure a safe, flood-free environment,” he stated.
Ogunlewe also urged community leaders to play more active roles in protecting the environment by working closely with residents, local authorities and community-based organisations to promote compliance with sanitation regulations.
He called on the Chairman of the Kosofe Community Development Committee, Mr Segun Babatunde, to strengthen Environmental Task Force Committees in all Community Development Associations (CDAs) across the area.
“This move will improve environmental monitoring, enforcement and public awareness at the grassroots,” he said.
The chairman also called on the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps to intensify efforts to curb indiscriminate refuse dumping in public places.
He said that tackling flooding required collective action, adding that maintaining a safe environment was the responsibility of all residents.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that parts of Lagos have continued to experience flooding following heavy rainfall, with authorities repeatedly urging residents to keep drainage channels free of waste. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Edith Bolokor/Chinyere Omeire