The Lagos State Commissioner for Environment, Tokunbo Wahab, has revealed that Lagos, as a coastal state, has been forecasted to sink in the next 50 years.
Wahab explained this while defending the current demolition in certain areas of the state.
This occurred after residents expressed their discontent with the demolition at Mende Estate Villa, Lagos on Saturday.
While discussing on Arise TV’s Morning Show on Sunday, the commissioner emphasized the importance of protecting the state’s infrastructure to prevent the prediction from becoming a reality.
He highlighted the government’s dedication to mitigating the impact of floods throughout the state.
“We visited Ikota due to flooding. We expanded Ikota from Ogolonto, Ogonbo through to Ikota River, and fortunately, it was in the budget.
Today, we are providing them with a tripodal drainage system as the main primary collector for System 44. Currently, they are de-flooding the entire area of Aboru to give them a highly resilient infrastructure. People also overlook the fact that this is a coastal state.
“The fact that we are a coastal state that has been forecasted to sink in the next 50 years, … people must take responsibility for our infrastructure and ensure we do not sink.
“How can you build on System 1 for goodness' sake? They refer to it as Systems 1, and other systems were constructed on Systems 1. It serves a purpose,” he said.
Following the demolition exercise, many have protested while seeking compensation for a new shelter.
Popular Nigerian singer, Yemi Alade, stressed that the development would discourage those interested in investing in real estate in the state.
Another resident in the area, simply identified as Kayode, mentioned that the government asserted that the houses were too close to the canal and that they had not yet discussed with the residents.
Kayode further stated, “No formal communication has been made. We hope that they will come and have a discussion with us. For now, all we know is that we have to relocate. They are indifferent to where we will move. They have commenced demolishing areas around a bridge in the vicinity, and we never anticipated that it would reach our area.”
