Lagos Flooding: Rhodes-Vivour, Doherty Fault APC, Demand Lasting Solutions

Governorship hopefuls, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Funso Doherty of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), have criticised the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration over the recurring flooding in Lagos, blaming the situation on years of poor environmental governance, weak urban planning and inadequate infrastructure.

The politicians made their positions known in separate statements on Tuesday following heavy rainfall that left several parts of the state flooded.

Rhodes-Vivour said the persistent flooding underscored the need for effective waste management, proper stormwater drainage and coordinated urban planning, stressing that the three issues are closely connected.

According to him, successive APC administrations have failed to provide sustainable solutions despite governing the state for over two decades, leaving residents to endure annual flooding and its economic and social consequences.

He also attributed the situation to poorly regulated sand filling, unchecked urban development, destruction of wetlands and weak planning policies, noting that these have displaced vulnerable communities and exposed residents to property damage and business losses.

Rhodes-Vivour called for proactive policies aimed at building a climate-resilient Lagos, urging the government to adopt long-term measures to tackle the challenge.

Similarly, Doherty argued that blaming flooding solely on indiscriminate waste disposal ignored deeper structural and environmental issues.

He cited a Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) report, which he said was obtained by his legal team in 2024, alleging that the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the Lagos Coastal Road project was not available during the contract review process.

According to him, the report indicated that provision was made within the contract for the contractor to carry out the EIA, a development he described as a conflict of interest capable of undermining the credibility of the assessment.

Doherty linked the alleged lapses to the flooding experienced in communities around the coastal road corridor and called for an independent investigation into the project.

He also demanded remediation measures and compensation for residents affected by the flooding if it is established that violations of environmental laws contributed to the hardship.

The NDC governorship hopeful further urged governments at all levels to ensure that major infrastructure projects comply with environmental regulations before contracts are awarded and executed.