NITP seeks urgent action on Lekki-Epe flooding - Punch Newspapers

outgoing Lagos State Chapter Chairman of the NITP, Oladele Akindele. Photo: Ayoola Babalola

The Lagos State Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners has called for greater attention to the Lekki-Epe corridor, sandwiched between the Atlantic Ocean and the Lagoon, to tackle flooding. The outgoing Lagos State Chapter Chairman of the NITP, Oladele Akindele, recently gave this advice during a press conference on the sidelines of the Institute’s 2026 Pre-Annual General Meeting. Akindele stressed that it is better to drain water into the Lagoon rather than the ocean; hence, all engineering solutions must take this into consideration during the design and execution of the drainage master plan. “Special attention should be paid to the Lekki-Epe corridor, sandwiched between the Atlantic Ocean and the Lagoon. Technically, it is better to drain water into the Lagoon rather than the ocean; hence all engineering solutions must take this into consideration during the design and execution of the drainage master plan,” Akindele said. He emphasised that it is obvious that most of the land space in Lagos is below sea level, “hence the problem/challenge of flash floods cannot be totally avoided.”See more Punch stories on Google.Add Punch on Google Akindele also urged the state government to study and implement locally how similar problems of flooding were substantially curtailed in other places, such as the Netherlands and New Orleans, United States of America. The NITP-LSC boss highlighted that it has been posited that blocked drainage channels contribute immensely to flooding, adding that the government needs to proffer a lasting solution to this identified source by way of continuous public enlightenment, effective monitoring of all the drainage channels, and the introduction of strict punitive measures for offenders who block drainage channels to serve as a deterrent to others. According to him, the government’s proposal to deploy specialised sweeping machines on some roads is a welcome development that should be given speed. Akindele argued that local government council authorities should be adequately involved in the planning process to reflect and conform with the provisions of the Urban and Regional Planning Act of 1992. Floodwater submerges road to Ogun gov’s hometown Lagos APC deputy gov candidate urges Christian political participation 2027: Obi’ll win Lagos by wider margin – NDC “Physical planning at the national, state and local levels of government should be distinct but interrelated and integrated,” Akindele stated. He advised the state government to consider increased participation through a public-private partnership in the implementation of all master/model city plans. Akindele pointed out that such PPP arrangement will lessen the financial burden on the government in getting these plans implemented within the stipulated planning period. “We also note the giant strides of the Office of Urban Development in the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development with the award of several regeneration/urban renewal projects to indigenous urban and regional planning firms. This is quite commendable,” he stressed, noting that the move is expected to enhance urban development, the socio-economic status of the people, and environmental improvement of the state, leading to overall life betterment of the citizens in those regenerated areas. He reiterated that government action against illegal developments should be made stricter, especially when they obstruct canals or drainage channels. “We implore the government to ensure that such developments are removed at the early stages of construction, and not when they have been completed and, in some cases, occupied,” he said. He argued that the recently introduced Certified Accreditors Program in Lagos State, which is meant to reduce building collapses, improve enforcement of building regulations, increase inspection capacity and promote safer and higher-quality construction, among other objectives, will also reduce the seemingly economic wastage and disruption to the socio-economic life of the people that could be affected by incidents of building collapse or outright government demolition. “Until recently, building construction monitoring had always been the responsibility of different agencies of government. Now we are aware of and in support of the recent introduction of the Certified Accreditors Programme in the State, which is meant to reduce building collapses, improve enforcement of building regulations, increase inspection capacity and promote safer and higher-quality construction, among other objectives. “It will also reduce the economic wastage and disruption to the socio-economic life of the people that could be affected by incidents of building collapse or outright government demolition,” Akindele stated. Anozie Egole Anozie is a Chief Correspondent at Punch Newspapers with over 13 years of experience covering entertainment, maritime, and transport sectors. He specializes in producing insightful, engaging stories that provide clarity and depth across his beats. Anozie’s work reflects substantial newsroom experience and a strong commitment to accurate and compelling journalism.

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