Tokunbo Wahab, the Lagos State Commissioner for Environment, has declared that Lagos as a coastal state has been predicted to go under in the next 50 years.
The commissioner said this while briefing the ongoing demolition in some parts of the state.
This was after residents had criticized the demolition exercise carried out at Mende Estate Villa, Lagos on Saturday.
Wahab during his speech on Arise TV’s Morning Show on Sunday, emphasized that it is very important for people to safeguard the state’s infrastructure to prevent the prediction from coming to pass.
He emphasized that the government’s commitment is to prevent the effects of floods across the state.
“We went to Ikota due to flooding. We opened up Ikota from Ogolonto, Ogonbo through to Ikota River and today graciously, it was in the budget.
“We are today giving them a tripodal drainage system as the main primary collector for System 44. As we speak today, they are de-flooding the whole of Aboru to give them a super-resilient infrastructure. People also forget that this is a coastal state.
“The fact that we are a coastal state that had been predicted to go under in the next 50 years, … people must take ownership of our infrastructure and make sure we don’t go under.
“How will you build on System 1 for God’s sake? They call it Systems 1 and other systems were built on Systems 1. It is for a purpose,” he said.
However, due to the demolition exercise, many have protested 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.
Kayode, Another resident in the area, stated that the government claimed that these houses were too close to the canal and that they are yet to discuss with the residents.
Kayode added, “Nothing has been said so far. We are hoping that they will come and have a discussion with us. For now, all we know is that we have to move out. They do not care where we will move. They have started demolishing areas around a bridge in the area, and we never thought it would get to our area.”
