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Amongst the long list of communities with challenges arising from flood is Agboyi Community located in Agboyi-Ketu Local Council Development Area in Lagos State, leaving the residents without basic amenities and making it in and out of the community by canoes. Residents are constantly tested by the relentless onslaught of floods.
Among these resilient individuals is Mrs R. A Adedoyin,
a trader who has witnessed first-hand the devastating impact of these floods on her livelihood and her community. “The floods disturb us a lot,” Mrs. Adedoyin laments, her voice filled with frustration. “People don’t come to buy from us because of the water, and our businesses suffer as a result.”
The floods have not only disrupted her trade but also caused extensive damage to her home and the surrounding community. “Our houses have been affected, and the market is filled with water,” she explains, her voice laced with concern.
The 2023 flood has been particularly severe, Adedoyin notes. “It’s the worst we’ve seen in years,” with her eyes reflecting the trauma of the experience. “And it seems to be getting worse each year.”
The floods seem to be a recurring theme in Agboyi-Ketu, with Adedoyin recalling a particularly devastating flood in 2019. “Even then, it wasn’t as bad as this,” she says, her voice filled with worry. The floods often appear to recede, only to surge back with renewed intensity. “We think it’s over,” Adedoyin explains, “but then it comes back worse than before.”
Determined to protect her community, Adedoyin urges the government to take action to mitigate the impact of the floods. “They need to build canals to drain the water away,” she insists, her voice firm with conviction.
The construction of canals would not only alleviate the immediate impact of the floods but also serve as a long-term solution, Adedoyin believes this would help them in the future and prevent more damage. As the floods continue to threaten her livelihood and her community, Adedoyin remains unwavering in her determination to overcome these challenges. Her resilience is a testament to the indomitable spirit of the Agboyi-Ketu community, a community that continues to fight for a brighter future, despite the relentless onslaught of nature’s fury.
Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resources Centre) is a non-governmental organisation and non-partisan human rights and development league.