The Lagos State governorship candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Funso Doherty, has called on the Lagos State Government to provide immediate compensation to residents and business owners affected by the recent flooding that swept across several parts of the state, while also demanding an independent investigation into the possible role of major infrastructure projects in worsening the disaster.
Doherty made the call on Tuesday in a post shared on his X account following the widespread flooding caused by heavy rainfall, which left many roads submerged, stranded motorists for hours, disrupted businesses, and damaged homes and public infrastructure across Lagos.
The politician argued that although poor waste disposal by some residents may have contributed to blocked drainage channels, it was insufficient to explain the scale and intensity of the flooding experienced in many communities.
According to him, attributing the disaster solely to indiscriminate dumping of refuse oversimplifies a much deeper problem rooted in years of environmental mismanagement, inadequate urban planning, and questionable implementation of major infrastructure projects.
“Lagos is once again being ravaged by flood waters. Homes flooded, businesses shut, with widespread damage to lives and property. Yet again, this is being attributed to flash flooding and, predictably, fingers are being pointed at residents disposing waste irresponsibly. This however does not tell the whole story,” Doherty wrote.
He stressed that while residents should continue to play their role by keeping drainage channels free of waste, government authorities also have a responsibility to ensure that infrastructure development complies with environmental standards and does not create unintended consequences for surrounding communities.
Doherty said available information obtained by his legal team from the Bureau of Public Procurement regarding the Lagos Coastal Road project raises questions that deserve public scrutiny.
Although he did not directly conclude that the project caused the flooding, he insisted that there should be an independent and transparent investigation to determine whether environmental failures associated with the construction of the road or other large-scale developments may have contributed to the widespread inundation witnessed across the state.
According to him, only a thorough investigation conducted by independent experts can establish whether environmental impact assessments were properly carried out, whether mitigation measures were implemented as required, and whether existing drainage systems were altered in ways that increased flood risks.
He argued that such an inquiry would not only establish accountability but also help prevent similar disasters in the future as Lagos continues to expand through major infrastructure investments.
The NDC governorship candidate further urged the Lagos State Government to prioritize the welfare of affected residents by providing financial relief and compensation to families and business owners who suffered significant losses during the flooding.
He noted that many small and medium-scale businesses were forced to suspend operations as floodwaters inundated shops, offices, and markets, leading to losses that could threaten livelihoods in an already challenging economic environment.
Doherty maintained that beyond emergency response efforts, authorities must demonstrate empathy by supporting victims who have lost property, merchandise, household belongings, and other valuable assets.
He said compensation should not be viewed as charity but as part of government’s responsibility where public infrastructure failures or environmental management shortcomings may have contributed to citizens’ losses.
The politician also renewed his call for improved environmental governance, saying Lagos requires more resilient infrastructure capable of coping with increasingly intense rainfall associated with climate change.
He emphasized that urban planning should be guided by scientific evidence, comprehensive environmental assessments, and strict compliance with regulatory standards rather than political expediency.
According to him, sustainable development must balance infrastructure expansion with environmental protection to reduce the vulnerability of communities to flooding and other climate-related disasters.
The recent flooding followed hours of heavy rainfall that affected several parts of Lagos, leaving major roads impassable and causing severe traffic congestion.
Residents across different communities reported flooded homes, submerged vehicles, damaged businesses, and disruptions to daily economic activities as emergency responders worked to manage the situation.
Flooding has become a recurring challenge in Lagos, particularly during the peak of the rainy season, with experts attributing the problem to a combination of rapid urbanisation, inadequate drainage infrastructure, blocked waterways, rising sea levels, and the increasing impact of climate change.
Environmental experts have repeatedly called for sustained investment in drainage networks, stricter enforcement of environmental regulations, better waste management systems, and comprehensive flood-control measures to reduce the frequency and severity of such incidents.
As debates continue over the causes of the latest flooding, Doherty’s demand for compensation and an independent investigation has added a fresh dimension to public discussions on the accountability of government agencies and the environmental implications of major infrastructure projects in Nigeria’s commercial capital.
His intervention is expected to fuel renewed conversations about urban planning, environmental sustainability, and the need for stronger oversight of large-scale construction projects as Lagos grapples with the recurring threat of devastating floods.
