Lagos Don Promise Safer Water, Vow To Stop Pollution And Protect Wetlands

Lagos State Government don talk say dem no go rest until dem protect water, environment, and wetlands for di future generation. Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, talk this one during Fela Debates 17 wey happen as part of Felabration 2025 for NECA House, Ikeja. Wahab say water no be just nature, but na life and blessing, and Lagos wey dey live and breathe water must respect am. He talk say di theme “Water (No) Get Enemy” fit well as water don shape Lagos’ economy, trade, fishing and transport. But e warn say many Lagosians dey still build on floodplains, block drainages, and reclaim wetlands because of money, and dem dey break Lagos Environmental Law of 2017. He point say recent flood for places like Banana Island, Osborne, Ikoyi, Lekki and Ajah na pure “man-made disaster”. He warn say government no go look una face again — anyone wey break environmental law go face fire.

Wahab talk say people wey pollute water dey harm themselves, no be water, and he remind Lagosians say dem get moral duty to restore mangroves and respect drainage channels. He remember how rain for July 22, 2017, turn Surulere to swimming pool because plastic and nylon block road — na turning point for Lagos plastic fight. He say government ban on Styrofoam and single-use plastics dey help drainage breathe well again. Lagos don also sign MoU with Jospong Group to turn Olusosun waste to useful materials and dey plan same for Epe landfill with Harvest Waste. With help from C40 Cities, government don build biogas plant for Ikosi Fruit Market wey dey turn 500kg of fruit waste per day into light, cooking gas, and phone charging. Wahab end am with clear message: “Water no get enemy, but if you fight water, na yourself you dey fight.”