By Olasunkanmi Akoni
LAGOS — THE Lagos State government, yesterday, promised to strengthen flood control and drainage management in 2026, following various ongoing efforts to mitigate the effects in 2025.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment, Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu, gave the assurance, while speaking with newsmen after the Annual Zonal Awards of the Emergency Flood Abatement Gang and the Drainage Enforcement and Compliance Gang of the Ministry of the Environment, held in Alausa, Ikeja.
Rotimi-Akodu noted that 2025 had witnessed massive improvement preparedness and rapid response to flooding incidents.
He said: “It was important to recognise the workers because when there is flooding, they are the ones who quickly go out there to ensure that the flood is abated so that residents have relief. It is important to recognise them, and you can see that they are very happy that they are recognised.
“The meteorological report on rainfall in Lagos this year indicated that the state was to have a slightly higher average of precipitation compared to 2024.
“Fine, it did happen, but we were able to match up with the challenge. There was a time the state was flooded, and within one day, this team went around with our directors and engineers, they did the job, and the flood subsided. We were able to cope because we were prepared.
“For next year, we have to continue what we are doing and improve on it. We also have to continue public sensitisation.
“The idea of throwing waste into the drainage needs to stop. Whenever it rains, some people feel like that is the time to dispose of their waste and they throw the refuse into the water. Lagos will not be able to accommodate all of that.
“So next year, we are going to construct more drains and canals. We are going to better empower this team because they are very germane to the functionality of the ministry.”
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services and Water Resources, Mahamood Adegbite, said the workers were being celebrated for a job well done.
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