Ponnle advocates community engagement to reduce flooding in Lagos

Wale Ponnle, Chief Operating Officer of Gracias Global Homes & Properties Ltd, has called for stronger community involvement in tackling flooding in Lagos, saying residents must work with government agencies to stop illegal developments that contribute to the problem.

Speaking with journalists over the weekend, Ponnle, who also heads the Strategy and Planning Committee of the Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN), Lagos Chapter, said the fight against flooding cannot be left to the government alone. He urged community leaders to report illegal construction, land reclamation and sand-filling activities that obstruct natural waterways and drainage channels.

According to him, local communities are often the first to notice activities that violate planning regulations. He said residents should alert the appropriate authorities whenever they observe projects that could increase the risk of flooding.

Ponnle commended Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, for investing in drainage infrastructure, flood control projects and environmental management over the years.

He also acknowledged efforts by the state government to strengthen planning regulations and improve the building approval process to ensure construction projects comply with environmental and planning requirements.

However, he said government action alone would not solve the challenge.

“The reality is that flooding in Lagos is not merely a natural disaster; it is often the consequence of human actions and collective negligence. This is why the fight against flooding must move beyond government offices and become a community-driven responsibility.

“Lagos state should therefore adopt a more structured approach to engaging community leaders as environmental watchdogs and whistle-blowers. Rather than relying solely on periodic inspections by government agencies, communities should be encouraged and empowered to report illegal construction, reclamation, and sand-filling activities as soon as they are detected,” he said.

Flooding remains a major concern in many parts of Lagos during the rainy season. Roads become difficult to use, homes and businesses are affected, traffic slows, and some incidents result in the loss of lives. For many residents, seasonal flooding has become a recurring challenge that disrupts daily life and economic activities.

Ponnle said public education is necessary because many residents do not fully understand how illegal developments contribute to flooding. He explained that blocked drainage channels, reclaimed wetlands and construction along waterways often prevent water from flowing freely, increasing the risk of flooding across communities.

To improve enforcement, he proposed accessible reporting channels that would allow residents to alert authorities quickly whenever they observe environmental violations.

“For community-based whistle-blowing to be effective, the government must provide accessible and responsive reporting mechanisms. Citizens need clear channels through which they can report suspected violations. A dedicated telephone hotline, WhatsApp reporting platform, mobile application, and online portal could make the process simple and convenient.

“The battle against flooding begins long before the first raindrop falls. It begins when a resident notices sand being dumped into a drainage channel and reports it. It begins when a community leader raises an alarm about unauthorised reclamation activities. It begins when citizens understand that environmental violations are not private matters but public threats,” he added.

Ponnle also called for continuous public awareness campaigns on flood prevention rather than seasonal campaigns that only take place during the rainy period.

According to him, information on protecting waterways and complying with planning regulations should be shared through television, radio, newspapers, social media, schools, religious organisations and community meetings. He said these platforms would help reinforce the message that safeguarding drainage systems is a shared responsibility.

Ponnle added that educating residents about the state’s planning approval process would also discourage unauthorised developments and improve compliance with environmental regulations.

He maintained that stronger cooperation between government agencies and local communities would help detect violations before they develop into larger environmental problems.

According to him, greater citizen participation has improved environmental management in many countries, and Lagos can achieve similar results by building stronger partnerships between regulators and residents.

“When government and citizens work together, illegal developments can be stopped before they become disasters. And when communities become the first line of defence against environmental violations, Lagos moves one step closer to winning its long-standing battle against flooding,” Ponnle said.