The recourse by the Lagos State Government to environmentally, unfriendly projects along the entire Lagos coastline, especially the Lekki-Ajah axis has been blamed for the massive flooding of parts of Lagos.
This was contained in a press release made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt by a non-governmental organization, Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FOEN).
The release signed by the head of media and campaigns of the organisation Philip Jakpor also described as diversionary, the exercise by the government that the incident was caused by indiscriminate dumping of refuse in drainages by the residents.
The release quoted ERA/FOEN Deputy Director, Akinbole Oluwafemi as saying that, environmental sustainability goes beyond showmanship and sweet pronouncements.
“We have said it time and again that environmental sustainability goes beyond showmanship and sweet pronouncements.
“The rains have exposed how dangerous experiments like the Eko Atlantic City project and unmitigated sand dredging along the Lekki and Ajah corridor for the ultimate pleasure of the wealthy can make life miserable for the generality”.
It explained that, what was at stake with dredging and land grab activities that has thus far displaced a host of communities including Otodo Gbome and Mukoka was a classic case of development process versus human rights.
The release further alleged that, the reckless reclanation exercise in Lagos was now threatening to throw the entire South West coastline extending to the Niger delta into chaos.
According to the release, “The explanation of state government conveyed by the environment commissioner, was very watery as it deliberately avoided the subject matter but instead blamed the flooding on insignificant pieces of rubbish floating around narrow drains”.
He said that the situation was an indictment on the government as it is body that granted permits for sand dredging and other projects that put pressure on the Atlantic coastline and residents of the city.
The group used the occasion to call for a halt on the massive excavations and soil reclamation that has displaced many people in the area.
“We are using this said occasion to reiterate our demands that the Lagos state government put a brake on massive excavations and soil reclamation exercise that have displaced locals while creating an earthy paradise for the wealthy.
“We also ask this government to make available the environmental impact assessment (EIA) study on the controversy streaked Eko Atlantic City Project and others that defy logic at a time that climate change is inducing sea level rise globally”.