By Patricia Amogu
A petroleum engineer, Mr Charles Deigh, has attributed the recurring cases of urban flooding in Nigeria to poor design, construction, and maintenance of drainage systems across major cities.
Deigh told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Monday that inadequate and blocked drainage channels had continued to worsen flooding, especially during the rainy season.
He said that while climate change and heavy rainfall contribute to flooding, the lack of effective drainage infrastructure remained the major cause of the recurring disasters.
“In most Nigerian cities, drains are either undersized, poorly built, or completely blocked with waste.
“When stormwater cannot flow into canals and rivers, it finds its way into homes, roads and markets, causing massive damage,” he said.
Deigh cited Lagos as one of the worst-hit states, where recent heavy rains submerged areas such as Lekki, the 3rd Mainland Bridge, Ago Palace Way, Ayobo-Ipaja, Fola Osibo, and Sangotedo, resulting in the destruction of property worth billions of naira.
According to him, similar situations have been recorded in Bayelsa, Benue, Anambra, Imo, Rivers, and Niger states.
He said that apart from the damage to infrastructure, floodwaters often mix with refuse and sewage, leading to outbreaks of waterborne diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and dysentery.
“Children are especially vulnerable. Flooding also causes huge economic losses as roads, markets, and businesses are destroyed.
“Commerce halts when roads are flooded, goods are destroyed, and transport is disrupted.
“Every flood season drains government resources that should have been channelled into long-term infrastructure,” he said.
Deigh called for urgent preventive measures, stressing that flood prevention must replace emergency response in Nigeria’s approach to flood management.
“Flooding in Nigeria is not only a natural disaster; it is a product of neglect and weak governance.
“Unless we take deliberate steps to upgrade our drainage systems, every rainy season will continue to be a season of fear,” he said.
He urged the government to enforce building codes, expand and desilt drainage channels regularly, and provide functional waste management systems to prevent blockages.
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) had earlier warned that most parts of the country would experience above-normal rainfall in 2025.
The agency urged states to strengthen flood-prevention measures and improve urban drainage systems. (NAN)
Edited by Tosin Kolade
Published By
- Agriculture and Environment Desk Controller/Website Content Manager.
