The Chief Operating Officer of Gracias Global Homes & Properties Ltd, Dr. Wale Ponnle, has urged citizens to join the fight against illegal developments contributing to the severe flooding recently experienced in parts of Lagos State.

Speaking to journalists over the weekend, the real estate tycoon, who is also the Head, Strategy and Planning Committee at The Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN), Lagos Chapter, said community leaders should serve as whistle-blowers to the government if they spot illegal construction, reclamation or sand filling activities happening in areas that could obstruct the proper flow of water when it rains. 

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

According to him, the government has also strengthened regulatory frameworks governing physical planning and urban development. Through improved transparency in building and planning permit approvals to ensure that construction projects comply with established environmental and planning standards. 

“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. 

As the rains intensify across Lagos each year, so too does a familiar cycle of disruption, hardship, and loss. Streets become impassable, homes and businesses are inundated, traffic congestion worsens, and in some unfortunate cases, lives are lost. For many residents, flooding has become an expected feature of the rainy season rather than an avoidable environmental challenge.

He believes many residents remain unaware of the direct relationship between illegal developments and flooding. Others may understand the risks but underestimate the scale of the consequences. Public education can help bridge this gap by demonstrating how blocked canals, reclaimed wetlands, and obstructed drainage systems contribute to flooding across entire communities.

“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 unauthorized reclamation activities. It begins when citizens understand that environmental violations are not private matters but public threats,” Dr. Ponnle added. 

Alongside reporting mechanisms, he reiterated the pressing need for a sustained public awareness campaign focused on flood prevention and environmental responsibility. Such awareness campaigns should be continuous rather than seasonal. They should utilize television, radio, newspapers, social media platforms, schools, religious institutions, and community meetings to reinforce a simple message: protecting waterways is everyone’s responsibility.

Dr. Ponnle maintained the campaign should also highlight the transparency measures already established within the state’s planning approval system. By educating residents about proper approval processes and the dangers of unauthorized construction, the government can further reduce opportunities for environmental violations.

According to him, 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..

Around the world, successful environmental management increasingly depends on citizen participation. Governments achieve better outcomes when residents become active stakeholders rather than passive observers. Lagos state can adopt the same model by building stronger partnerships between regulators and communities.