In nearly every city or town in Nigeria, there is a persistent sight of blocked drainages and flood risks, as well as of roads that transform into canals during rainfalls. The stench of stagnant water can fill the air, and plastic bags can frequently be found sitting in gutter systems, which are supposed to collect excess rainwater. Environmental sanitation in Nigeria has a direct impact on how the people of Nigeria are able to live, work and stay healthy throughout the country. Floods, while not new, are now so frequent that they occur in nearly every major city within Nigeria, including Lagos, Ibadan, Port Harcourt, Makurdi, Lokoja and many of the smaller communities.
There are those that attribute the problem to climate change or who blame the local and federal governments for failing to provide adequate waste management and drain systems. There are also many who blame the trash and debris that block up gutters and drainpipes, thereby contributing to the problem. However, the reality is that the situation regarding waste disposal and improper flood control is part of a larger system of environmental pollution occurring within Nigeria and contributes to many public health problems.
How Flood Risks Accompany Blocked Drainages
The real cause of this problem can be linked to the way people behave. With no refuse collection service provided to collect and dispose of their rubbish, people dump their rubbish into the nearest open gutter or drainpipe. Even if there are bins located on the street corners or near the marketplaces, these bins typically fill up within a matter of hours, and as a result, most residents simply look for the nearest empty dirt pathway.
Traders who operate out of the local markets will often wash dirt from their produce directly into the gutters that lead to the drainage systems, which once again causes clogged drains due to the sheer volume of dirt discarded into the drainage systems. As a result, when the rainy seasons hit, the gutters back up with water and the roads become flooded within a matter of minutes.
Poor drainage designs often contribute to flooding problems. Many roads are equipped with shallow gutters, while some do not feature proper routes for water drainage. You may be able to spot drainage channels that are only half full or clogged pipes containing sand. If there is no way for water to drain, it will flow back into the homes and businesses located along these roads.
Construction activity is another factor that adds to the problem. Construction workers will often dump their leftover cement into the nearest drain instead of disposing of it properly. Construction sites also create piles of sand that collect within gutters, creating blockages in the system.
The public health impact
Even if floodwater does not directly reach your home, you may be affected by it. When water remains in one location for an extended period of time, it provides a favourable environment for mosquitoes to breed. Many cities around the world are already experiencing high levels of malaria, and the increased number of stagnant pools is causing more problems.
Blocked drains also contain waste products from homes and markets. When floodwaters mix with these wastes, they cause the contaminants to be distributed throughout the community. Children who play in these areas are often unaware that they are putting themselves at risk. Other people walk through dirty floodwater, simply because there is no alternative way to reach their destination.
This leads to skin irritation, diarrhoea and other diseases. In Nigeria, similar public health issues occur throughout the country regardless of where you live (i.e., urban or rural). The same problems exist in small towns which lack adequate drainage systems or are not maintained properly.
Flood risks are getting worse
Anytime there is a heavy rainstorm, the extent of flooding seems to become worse, resulting in even greater damage. Rural and urban households share a common anxiety before and during heavy rainstorms. The destructive force of flooding can wipe out small businesses, cause severe damage to property and displace entire families. If you live in an area prone to flooding, you know how much a short period of rain can affect your day.
The climate is changing. Rainfall can become heavy during certain times of the year. In addition, the situation gets worse when the drains are blocked. A heavy downpour can create flooding on a residential block.
The role of environmental sanitation
Environmental sanitation in Nigeria tends to focus on the monthly clean-up activities that involve picking up debris and cleaning the sides of the roads. However, while these activities may assist with some of the immediate problems, they do not address the larger systemic issues. Residents need to practise good sanitation habits, maintain the road drainage systems and have continued waste management.
If sanitation is not working, there is going to be an increase in pollution. If the drains do not get cleaned, people are going to breathe in the foul odour of sewage coming up from the drains. If individuals have open refuse in their homes, they are going to attract flies, mosquitoes, rats and many other pests. These problems will affect your overall health long before a flood comes.
What can communities do
The residents of these areas have a role, and it begins with simple steps that happen every day.
- Keeping waste away from gutters.
- Encouraging neighbours to stop dumping their refuse in drain channels.
- Engaging local authorities for routine drainage clean-ups.
- Setting up designated waste spots within the neighbourhood.
- Organising regular community clean-ups that target blocked gutters.
These simple commitments may not look like much in the start, but they always make a remarkable difference when done consistently and thoroughly.
What the Government Must fix
The government units in charge of the environment must also support communities with better solutions through:
- Providing reliable waste collection systems.
- Building deeper and connected drainage channels.
- Enforcing rules that prohibit construction waste from going into drains.
- Setting up local emergency response teams for high-risk flood locations.
- Mapping flood zones to help residents’ preparedness.
If these measures are not put in place, the cycle continues: blocked drainages and the flood risks that follow them, rising water after heavy rainfalls, polluted and smelly neighbourhoods, and health challenges attached.
A Personal look at the Flood problem
Every rainy season, I have seen this problem occur where I lived. The small street I lived on became flooded with brown water after it rained. I had no choice but to roll up my trouser legs and walk through it. In hindsight, the majority of the brown water I walked through came from the blocked drains that had never been cleaned. At that time, it seemed normal to walk through the brown water.
However, now that I am older and know better, I see how much damage was done to my health as a result of floods. Flooding does not have to be a part of our daily lives. When we, as individuals, assume responsibility for clean drainage and proper infrastructure, we reduce the probability of floods and create the best possible environment for ourselves. A clean drainage system means more than cleanliness; it is the foundation for creating safe homes, better health and cleaner communities.
