Lagos state will soon be unlivable but nobody is talking about it

Lagos state has been predicted to be one of the cities to go down as a result of floods in 2050. This warning and observation were the highlights of a news conference that took place on the 28th of July, 2021. 

In his briefing, the Director-General of the Agency, Engr. Clement Nze, in Abuja, stated, ”There is a prediction that Lagos Island is one of the fastest sinking cities that might go down in about 2050. There are about 10 such cities and Lagos is one of them.” For a city that houses over 15 million people, this is not an issue that should be taken lightly.

What are the causes of Lagos’ flooding issues?

The major cause of floods in Lagos especially the coastal areas is the lack of proper drainage systems. When there is a huge downpour the water needs spaces to flow through and with the way the coastal areas were built, it doesn’t allow the easy passage of excess water during and after the rainfall. 

Another cause of flood in Lagos is the lack of dikes and reeves. Dikes and reeves are flood-control structures that are built to ensure the control of floods and water surges. What these artificial water channels do is ensure that runoffs from bursting floodplains are prevented. 

Furthermore, Lagos state doesn’t have enough canals. A canal is an artificial waterway constructed to convey water for irrigation. When there are enough canals, it allows for the free flow of excess water.

What are the implications?

• Loss of investors

Lagos state is the headquarters of top international companies like Chevron, EXXON Mobil, Total, MTN, and many others. The city sinking would mean that these companies have to divert to other states or even other countries to establish a stronger dominance which in turn would lead to unemployment and discourage potential investors.

• Loss of privately owned businesses

Lagos is easily the go-to place for entrepreneurship. From the market women to the motor parts business owners and street traders. It houses a bulk of sustainable businesses. Little wonder, the Nollywood industry portrays the city in its movies as a place to search for greener pastures. However, if Lagos sinks this would mean a loss of so many years of investment and capital. Leaving the business owners gullible.

• Loss of privately owned properties

The city of Lagos is the most expensive city to live in Nigeria. The cheapest piece of property in the Ikoyi and banana island axis go for about ₦46,500,000. Imagine having to lose all that amount of property. This would probably mean you relocating to your village. 

What are the ways to prevent flooding in Lagos state?

One major way to prevent flooding in Lagos is to ensure that drainage systems are well built and regularly cleaning the drainages to allow the decomposition of solid waste.

Dikes and reeves need to be built at the river banks to prevent an overflow from the rivers and beaches when there is a heavy downpour. This will block overflowing rivers from congesting habitable areas.  If this system is properly optimized it would go a long way towards preventing flooding. 

Also, canals should be built and cleaned regularly to allow easy passage of water.

Conclusively, Lagos state is prone to flood due to the population in its coastal areas but we can’t make this stop by overlooking the implications but rather engaging in ways to prohibit it collectively as its inhabitants.