Rhodes-Vivour recommends strategies to cope with flooding in Lagos

Rhodes-Vivour, the Labour Party candidate for Lagos governor, has condemned the state government’s response to the recent floods in the state, calling the proposed solutions “pedestrian”.

He appeared on The Morning Brief on Channels Television, a day after torrential rains flooded cars and homes and left millions stranded on the roads.

He questioned the government’s waste management policy, asking how it is implemented at the local government level and how incentives are created for people to manage waste.

He also asked about government action to protect gutters, siting of canal management schemes and involvement of CDA and local authorities in flood management.

Rhodes-Vivour’s criticism comes against the backdrop of frequent flooding, which he says requires more effective solutions than the government’s current approach.

“The solutions we have seen from this state government in the last 24 years have been very down to earth,” he told Channels Television’s The Morning Brief.

“You have your gutters, don’t throw garbage in the gutters, but what is your waste management policy? How have you communicated that to the local government? How have you created incentives for people to manage their waste because it can be turned into wealth?

“How did you secure your gutters? How did you locate your sewer management systems? How did you engage your CDAs and local authorities? We have a situation where local authorities are simply extensions of political parties. They have no blueprint for the game.”

He added; “Dealing with flooding in Lagos requires a forward-thinking approach linked to public policy and city planning. We need to adopt sponge city initiatives, appropriate waste management policies and technology for early warning, rapid response and emergency protocols.

“The blame game cannot continue. These floods are costing citizens millions in damaged cars and property, and we need to raise the conversation beyond gutter cleaning to a more holistic and pragmatic approach.”

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