The Lagos State Government has reiterated that flash flooding remains an unavoidable reality due to the state’s coastal location, urging residents to stop dumping refuse on roads and into drainage channels.
The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, made the appeal during an interview on Wednesday, stating that while flash floods cannot be completely prevented in a coastal city like Lagos, the government is committed to minimising their impact through sustained investment in drainage infrastructure, flood control projects and environmental management.
According to Wahab, Lagos’ geographical location makes it particularly vulnerable to heavy rainfall and temporary flooding. He said the state’s focus is on mitigating the effects of flooding rather than attempting to eliminate the natural phenomenon.
“Lagos is a coastal state… We can’t run away from it (climate change).” — Tokunbo Wahab, Lagos best Environment and Water Resources Commissioner👇❤️ pic.twitter.com/21bU9vJXqh
— A. Ayofe (@abdullahayofel) July 1, 2026
He also appealed to residents to support the government’s flood management efforts by disposing of waste responsibly and keeping drainage channels free of obstructions, warning that indiscriminate refuse dumping significantly increases the risk of flooding.
“We must start seeing waste as a resource for power, energy, or wealth,” Wahab said.
The commissioner disclosed that the state is transitioning from its traditional “pick-and-dump” waste disposal model to a more sustainable waste-to-energy and recycling system. He added that the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) now operates round the clock to clear waste backlogs and improve sanitation across the state.
“We must start seeing waste as a resource for power, energy, or wealth.”
Lagos Environment Commissioner Tokunbo Wahab says the state is transitioning from a “pick-and-dump” waste system to waste-to-energy and recycling projects. He said LAWMA now operates 24/7, moving the waste… pic.twitter.com/fjLRDz0M7m
— Channels Television (@channelstv) July 1, 2026
