The Lagos State Government has defended its flood control efforts, insisting that ongoing drainage and environmental interventions have significantly reduced the impact of heavy rainfall across the state despite the effects of climate change.

The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, made the remarks on Friday after inspecting drainage channels and flood-prone locations in Oniru, Chevron Drive, Agungi-Ajiran, Freedom Road and Orange Island.

Responding to criticism following recent flash floods in parts of Lagos, Wahab said it was unfair to dismiss the government’s efforts, accusing some individuals of politicising the issue rather than acknowledging the work being carried out to reduce flooding.

According to him, the state has implemented several environmental measures over the past three years, including improvements in waste management, the ban on styrofoam and certain plastic products, removal of structures obstructing floodplains and wetlands, and expansion of drainage infrastructure.

He argued that these initiatives have helped limit flooding to temporary flash floods that subside within hours, rather than prolonged inundation.

The commissioner said the government had already recorded noticeable improvements around Chevron Drive and Gravitas after removing illegal encroachments that obstructed drainage channels leading into the lagoon.

He recalled that government officials had previously encountered resistance while clearing the affected areas but said the exercise had improved water flow within days, easing flooding in Ajiran Village and neighbouring communities.

Wahab explained that the inspection was also aimed at assessing drainage infrastructure, engaging residents and identifying locations requiring permanent engineering solutions.

He added that officials revisited a site where illegal land reclamation had earlier been halted because it serves as a major drainage outlet into the lagoon, stressing that allowing such activities would worsen flooding.

On concerns over inadequate drainage infrastructure within some communities, the commissioner said the state government was collaborating with local government councils to execute major projects beyond their financial capacity before handing them over for maintenance.

He also said enforcement against indiscriminate waste disposal would continue, noting that several offenders had already been prosecuted in recent months.

According to Wahab, the government plans to strengthen waste management by increasing public awareness, improving the operational capacity of the Lagos Waste Management Authority and Private Sector Participation (PSP) operators, and deploying between 140 and 150 additional waste compactors.

He added that the state expects new material recovery facilities and transfer stations to become operational before the end of the year, a move he said would divert more than 4,000 tonnes of waste daily from landfill disposal and further improve waste management across Lagos.