The Lagos State Commissioner for Environment, Tokunbo Wahab, has disclosed that Lagos as a coastal state has been predicted to go under in the next 50 years.
Wahab stated this while justifying the ongoing demolition in some parts of the state.
This came after residents decried the demolition exercise carried out at Mende Estate Villa, Lagos on Saturday.
While speaking on Arise TV’s Morning Show on Sunday, the commissioner stressed that it is important for people to safeguard the state’s infrastructure to prevent the prediction from coming to pass.
He emphasised the government’s commitment to preventing 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.
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, said the government claimed that the houses were too close to the canal and that they had 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.
