Media and communication expert Dr. Jide Johnson has called for an urgent shift in civic mindset, urging Lagos Residents to take direct ownership of public infrastructure and actively combat the environmental degradation worsening the state’s flooding crisis.
Speaking as a guest on Lagos Television’s flagship morning programme, The Conversation, Dr. Johnson warned that the reckless disposal of plastic waste, particularly sachet water packaging and PET bottles remains a leading driver of clogged drainage channels and severe urban flooding across the metropolis.
He called on citizens to recognize the direct connection between daily habits and recurring environmental disasters.
Addressing the rampant vandalism of public utilities, Dr. Johnson urged law enforcement agencies to step up security around critical government facilities. However, he stressed that official policing alone is insufficient without active public whistleblowing.
He advised residents to promptly report acts of vandalism, unsafe construction practices, and the misuse of public assets to relevant state authorities.
To build long-term sustainability, Dr. Johnson advocated for grassroots inclusion in public projects, asserting that involving community stakeholders including local artisans, traditional rulers and neighborhood associations from the planning stage fosters a sense of collective ownership.
“When communities are involved in executing local projects, it promotes accountability and guarantees proper maintenance of public infrastructure,” he noted.
Addressing national security and crime prevention, Dr. Johnson argued that effective law enforcement must go hand-in-hand with socio-economic development.
Echoing this stance, co-contributor Tayo noted during the broadcast that tackling criminality requires a holistic blueprint combining swift prosecution and law enforcement with targeted poverty reduction, infrastructure upgrades, and accountable governance.
Dr. Johnson concluded that building a safer, flood-resilient Lagos ultimately hinges on a firm partnership between an responsive government and an empowered, responsible citizenry
