Adedeji Doherty, who is running for Lagos State governor under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has committed to expanding upon the ongoing infrastructure initiatives of the current All Progressives Congress (APC) government should he secure victory in the 2027 elections.
Doherty made the commitment during the Lagos governorship debate on Sunday, where candidates were asked to explain why heavy rainfall frequently disrupts movement across the state and outline measures to make infrastructure more resilient to climate change and population growth.
He identified poor drainage as a major contributor to flooding in Lagos, calling for improved drainage channels and better management of the state’s waterways.
The PDP candidate acknowledged that climate change was a global challenge but said Lagos needed to strengthen its infrastructure and improve its response to flooding.
He cited the link bridge between Bourdillon Road and Lekki as an example of infrastructure development undertaken during the administration of former Governor Babatunde Fashola.
Doherty also commended the current state government for clearing drainage channels and removing refuse, saying a future PDP administration would continue and improve on such efforts.
“We will continue to build on it and we will try and do things much better,” he said.
He also called for improved transportation arrangements for elderly and physically challenged residents, arguing that their mobility needs should be better accommodated within the public transport system.
Doherty urged residents to demonstrate greater discipline in waste disposal, saying indiscriminate dumping of refuse into drainage channels worsened flooding.
He maintained that flooding was partly a geographical challenge but said the impact on residents depended largely on how effectively the government managed it.
What You Should Know
During a recent Lagos governorship debate, PDP candidate Adedeji Doherty discussed key urban challenges like heavy flooding and poor transport access for elderly and disabled residents. Rather than promising a complete overhaul, he announced plans to build on the existing infrastructure and drainage clearing efforts started by past and present APC administrations.
- Positive Impact: A collaborative approach to infrastructure ensures that successful public works and drainage maintenance are not abandoned due to political changes, potentially leading to better continuity in urban development.
- Potential Concerns: Voters may scrutinize whether the opposition candidate can effectively deliver improvements or if relying on existing frameworks lacks the bold reform needed to permanently solve recurring environmental challenges like severe flooding in Lagos.
