CHALLENGES IN IMPLEMENTING FLOOD DISASTER MANAGEMENT POLICIES AND PRACTICES IN LAGOS STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Lagos State is one of the fastest growing megacity in southwestern Nigeria now experiencing severe flood disasters problems as a result of the city’s location, geographical features and rapid growth in urbanisation. This research aims to establish and analyse the major challenges to efficient flood disaster management in Lagos; these issues include; infrastructural deficits, lack of funds, political interferences, inadequate human resources, poor inter-agency cooperation, and poor stakeholder involvement. An explorative quantitative research approach was used and questionnaires used to gather data from respondents within the community, government authorities, and specialists in the field. The study shows that poor infrastructure is the most widespread problem with additional factors of growing in an unplanned urban area, drainage systems being blocked, and little investment in structures that are disaster resistant. Other challenges that have been witnessed in flood management include inadequate funds, poor coordination, and political interferences. Suggested measures include major capital expenditure on flood proof structures, enhanced agency cooperation, citizen involvement, and green city design. However, for these challenges to be tackled, new sources of financing and political support must be sustained. This research shows that there is a need for a comprehensive and coordinated approach to flood disaster management in Lagos State to increase its capacity for coping with flood disasters, and to decrease the level of susceptibility to such disasters in the state and losses of lives and properties. The study provides useful information that can be adopted by policy makers, planners and disaster managers in urban areas.