Flood control is a critical pillar in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) on clean water and sanitation, according to the Coordinator of the Climate-Smart Sustainability Programme (Nigeria & USA), Dr. Abiola Bashorun.
Bashorun said flooding is more than a natural disaster, describing it as a major public health, environmental and economic challenge that contaminates clean water sources with sewage, industrial waste, agricultural runoff and disease-causing pathogens. She noted that the consequences include increased outbreaks of waterborne diseases, damaged infrastructure, disrupted livelihoods and reduced access to safe drinking water and sanitation.
She explained that these growing challenges informed the launch of Operation Flush, a flood control initiative introduced by ZL Global Alliance (ZLGA) in 2018 to address flooding through improved drainage management, watershed restoration, environmental sanitation, public awareness and sustainable water management.
According to her, the initiative has grown beyond flood mitigation and now serves as a practical model for advancing SDG 6, which seeks to ensure the availability and sustainable management of clean water and sanitation for all by 2030.
Bashorun said the Climate-Smart Sustainability Programme (Nigeria & USA) provides the broader framework through which Operation Flush integrates climate resilience with sustainable environmental management to improve water quality, protect ecosystems, strengthen community resilience and safeguard public health.
She listed the programme’s key interventions to include flood control and watershed management, water quality monitoring and treatment, wetland and river restoration, sustainable irrigation for climate-smart agriculture, renewable energy-powered community water supply systems, watershed protection through tree planting and ecosystem restoration, as well as public education on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH).
She added that the initiative also contributes to the achievement of SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) by reducing waterborne diseases, SDG 13 (Climate Action) through climate adaptation and resilience, SDG 14 (Life Below Water) by protecting aquatic ecosystems, and SDG 15 (Life on Land) through ecosystem restoration and sustainable land management.
Bashorun stressed that as climate change continues to increase the frequency and intensity of flooding, Nigeria must move beyond emergency response and embrace preventive, climate-smart solutions.
She maintained that Operation Flush, under the broader vision of the Climate-Smart Sustainability Programme, demonstrates that effective flood control is not only essential for protecting lives and property but is also a strategic investment in clean water, public health, environmental sustainability and national resilience.
