CHALLENGES OF POOR DRAINAGE SYSTEMS AND FLOODS CONTROL IN LAGOS METROPOLIS, NIGERIA

CHALLENGES OF POOR DRAINAGE SYSTEMS AND FLOOD CONTROL IN LAGOS METROPOLIS

Abstract

Flooding is persistent in Lagos Metropolis. The objective of this paper is to ascertain the causes, magnitude, and effects; and to indicate directions for policy makers and urban dwellers. Topographical maps were used for data collection on the physical environment. Some physical measurements were made of the drainage channels and floods. 2,000 inhabitants of the metropolis were randomly selected and made to respond to some questions. In addition, authorities in professionally related fields including policy makers were made to make contributions. Intermittent supplies and torrential rainfall in its seasons are usually beyond the capacities of the channels. These are compounded by inadequate planning of the physical environment, wastes dumped in drainage channels and erosion passages, and deliberate or inadvertent physical structures that block free flow of water along the drains. Floods are as wide as 500m and above on each side of the channels and as high as 2.00m at some times and localities. There are some advantages associated with it. Living habits of the inhabitants have to change. Physical planning efforts have to be drastic, radical and deterministic towards sustainable drainage and erosion channels. There must be massive investment in dredging and re-dredging of the existing drainage network and channelization of the new suburbs. Floodable zones should be re-planned; and flood plains can be rehabilitated as parks and recreation centers.

 1.1Background of the study

Human anxiousness as well as quest to improve survival chances and gain better control over their environment has indeed succeeded through man’s constant exploration, exploitation and alteration of the natural environment. This has enabled man to achieve urbanization, industrialization and development in general. These developments have not come without a very high price due to the vindictive nature of the environment. The result or implication of human development is the evolution of serious environmental problems such as deforestation, erosion, global warming, flooding, pollution and recently climate change etc. these environmental problems have prevailed more in the developed nations of the world and urban centers in general. Flooding particularly has caused a lot of the world.

CHALLENGES OF POOR DRAINAGE SYSTEMS AND FLOOD CONTROL IN LAGOS METROPOLIS