FG appeals to Lagos residents for flood mitigation support

The Federal Ministry of Water Resources has urged Lagos residents to support flood mitigation efforts by clearing drains and avoiding dumping refuse in waterways.

The Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation has appealed to Lagos residents to support the government’s flood mitigation efforts. The ministry said the cooperation of residents is essential to the success of the ongoing measures to address flooding in the state.

The appeal comes weeks after the Nigerian Red Cross and the International Federation of Red Cross issued an emergency climate alert warning that severe floodwaters threaten over 151 communities and 6.5 million residents. The ministry’s appeal for support reflects the recognition that government efforts alone cannot solve the flooding crisis.

Residents can play a role by clearing drains, avoiding the dumping of refuse in waterways and complying with building regulations. The ministry’s appeal is a reminder that the government cannot do it alone, but it is also a deflection: a way of shifting responsibility from the state to citizens.

This echoes the 2020 flood appeal in Lagos, which also called for residents’ cooperation. The mechanism then was different, but the result was the same: a government seeking to share the burden of flood management.

The winners: the federal government, which has made an appeal; and Lagos residents, who can contribute to flood management. The losers: the government, if the appeal is ignored; and the Nigerian public, who must take responsibility.

Bottom Line: The federal government is appealing to Lagos residents for help with flood mitigation. Clear your drains, they say. The question is whether the government will do its part too.