A water resources management expert, Michael Ale, has called for urgent legal and institutional reforms to tackle recurring flooding in Ekiti State after recent floods caused deaths, property destruction and disruption of economic activities.
Ale, the Coordinator of the Global Development Initiative, said the state needed a stronger institutional framework capable of enforcing urban planning and environmental regulations while imposing penalties on activities that worsen flooding.
His call followed flooding recorded in parts of Ekiti, particularly the state capital, Ado Ekiti, where recent heavy rainfall caused significant damage and heightened concerns about the state’s preparedness for recurring flood events.
According to Ale, the recurring nature of the flooding means the state should move beyond emergency responses and establish systems that prevent or reduce the impact of disasters before they occur.
He argued that several factors contributing to flooding in Ado Ekiti are already identifiable, including construction on waterways, blocked drainage channels, inadequate dredging and indiscriminate disposal of refuse into canals.
Ale said weather forecasts provide advance warnings of heavy rainfall, while the locations of rivers and drainage channels are already known, making it necessary for authorities to use available information for preventive planning.
He maintained that the absence of effective institutions with the authority and capacity to enforce regulations had allowed practices capable of worsening flooding to continue.
The expert therefore urged the Ekiti State House of Assembly to enact what he described as a Flood Resilience and Urban Planning Enforcement Law to provide a stronger legal foundation for flood prevention and urban development control.
Among his recommendations is mandatory annual dredging of the Ureje and Elemi waterways before the peak of the rainy season, which he said should be completed before March each year.
He also proposed the creation of 50-metre no-build buffer zones around waterways and the criminalisation of construction activities carried out without appropriate drainage clearance.
Such measures, he argued, would help prevent buildings and other structures from obstructing natural water channels and reduce the pressure placed on drainage systems during heavy rainfall.
Ale also called for the establishment or strengthening of a waste management institution with sufficient powers to sanction residents and businesses that dump refuse into drains and waterways.
He said indiscriminate waste disposal can block drainage infrastructure and increase the likelihood that rainfall will quickly turn into dangerous flooding in densely populated areas.
Another proposal is the creation of a stronger emergency management institution supported by a functional early-warning system capable of communicating flood risks to residents before dangerous conditions develop.
Ale noted that Ekiti already has a 30-year Development Plan that identifies flood control, sustainable urbanisation and environmental resilience among its priorities.
He questioned, however, the effectiveness of monitoring and evaluation mechanisms needed to ensure that those long-term objectives translate into actual development and environmental practices.
The expert urged the government to ensure that urban expansion does not interfere with natural drainage channels and other features that help control the movement of stormwater.
He also suggested that Ekiti could seek technical and financial support from international development institutions, citing the World Bank’s involvement in flood management interventions in other Nigerian cities.
Ale specifically pointed to Oyo State’s response to severe flooding in Ibadan as an example from which Ekiti could draw lessons while developing its own long-term strategy.
He said Ekiti should consider seeking meaningful external intervention rather than relying solely on state resources to address the scale of its flood-management challenges.
The recommendations come amid growing concerns about the impact of extreme rainfall and rapid urban development on Nigerian cities, where inadequate drainage, waste disposal and construction around waterways can increase exposure to flood risks.
For Ekiti, the challenge extends beyond clearing flooded roads after heavy rainfall because recurring incidents can damage homes, businesses, public infrastructure and livelihoods while putting residents at risk.
Ale therefore called for a coordinated approach involving urban planners, environmental authorities, emergency managers, engineers and other technical experts to develop a comprehensive response to the state’s flood problem.
He also encouraged the government to take a proactive approach by identifying vulnerable areas, enforcing development rules and maintaining drainage and waterways before the rainy season intensifies.
For residents, the expert advised against attempting to cross or travel through floodwaters during heavy rainfall because apparently shallow water can conceal dangerous currents, open drains and other hazards.
He urged people in affected communities to wait for floodwaters to recede before attempting to move through flooded areas.
The latest proposals place renewed attention on the need for Ekiti to combine infrastructure development with stronger enforcement, environmental management and early-warning systems.
If adopted, the suggested reforms would shift the state’s approach from largely responding to flooding after it occurs towards prevention, preparedness and long-term urban resilience.