Lagos commissioner calls for collective environmental practices to tackle flooding

The Lagos State Government has called for action to address the rising threat of flooding, warning that the state faces a growing threat from rising sea level.

In a statement on Thursday, Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, said there was the need for robust flood defences and a collective commitment to sustainable environmental practices.

He wrote, “The whispers are gone. Climate change is here, and the water is at our doors. From Mumbai to Miami, from Dubai to Dublin, from Argentina to Australia, Toronto to Texas, cities around the world are facing a new reality – a reality of ferocious flash floods and towering tsunamis.”

Wahab noted that images of entire neighbourhoods underwater and desperate struggles for survival against unforgiving currents have brought the issue closer to home.

He said, “Our planet is warming, causing erratic weather patterns and rising sea levels. This translates to heavier rainfall, more powerful storms, and a growing threat to coastal communities. We’ve seen it recently, haven’t we? The heart-wrenching images of entire neighbourhoods underwater, the desperate struggle for survival against the unforgiving current.

“Closer to home, here in Lagos, we stand at a crossroad. We are a vibrant city, a centre of commerce and culture. But we are also vulnerable. The rising sea level threatens our very foundation.”

He added, “Now is the time to act. We need robust flood defences, and a collective commitment to sustainable environmental practices. We must protect our infrastructure, our homes, and most importantly, our people.

“Global warming is real. Ensure you keep your environment clean at all times and do not engage in any activity that can hinder the free flow of water.”

Source: PUNCH