Cynthia zegwu
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria Integrated Social Housing Cooperative Society Ltd, Mr. Saheed Adelakun, has attributed persistent flooding in Lagos to poor urban planning and residents’ poor attitude toward infrastructure.
Adelakun made this known at the fifth edition of Big 5 Construct Nigeria, held at the Landmark Centre, Lagos, where he urged residents to desist from indiscriminate disposal of refuse and obey environmental regulations.
“Unlike Abuja, Lagos was not properly planned. One solution is to destroy Lagos and start all over, and that is a no-go area,” he said. “On the part of residents, they should learn to obey rules and regulations. Our flooding problem is not just infrastructure, it is habit. You finish eating and drop bottles or cans anywhere, and they end up clogging drainages.”
While commending the Lagos State government for efforts to address flooding in parts of the state, he advised that the methods applied in some areas should also be extended to flood-prone communities such as Lekki.
“They brought in a machine to deflood certain areas. They can also make that go round, especially in Lekki,” he added.
Also speaking, Senior Vice President at DMG Events, organisers of Big 5 Construct Nigeria, Josine Heijmans, described the exhibition as the country’s largest construction gathering, bringing together policymakers, architects, engineers, and suppliers.
READ ALSO: Tokunbo Wahab Urges Collective Action Against Flooding in Lagos State
“This year, we have over 160 participants both locally and internationally. Some of the countries represented are Turkey, Italy, Germany, and China, to mention a few. We are here to support Nigeria’s long-term goals, be it in housing, infrastructure development or transition,” Heijmans said.
She explained that the event provided a platform for knowledge exchange, networking, and access to innovative solutions in the construction industry.
Similarly, the Managing Director of Bifem Paralu, Hady Farhat, expressed delight at participating in the exhibition, noting that it created opportunities to engage with clients, strengthen networks, and contribute to shaping the future of construction in Nigeria.