At Fela Debates, Tokunbo Wahab Emphasises Importance of Water To Lagos Economy

Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab has restated the importance of water to Lagos State, noting that water is a natural resource, a blessing, an ally and the future of human existence that requires everyone’s nurture in its use and interaction.   

The Commissioner made this known during the Fela Debates 17 held Monday at the NECA House, Ikeja, Lagos as part of activities marking Felabration 2025. 

Wahab said the State Government understands the delicate relationship between human and water as not just a force but also an enabler.

He stated that the theme of the event “Water (No) Get Enemy” is very apt because for centuries, water has shaped Lagos’ economy, the trade, fishing, the transport, even the settlements, stressing that scientifically, water lies at the very heart of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 6, 2, 11 and 13).

The Commissioner noted that as simple as the statement sounds, it carries wisdom as old as humanity itself.

“Nobody can live without water, nobody can truly fight against it because Water is life itself,” the Commissioner stated.

While noting that Lagos is a city that lives and breathes water, he emphasised that a fight against water is quite frankly a battle already lost.

The Commissioner explained that the State faces unique climate challenges, which include rising sea levels, extreme heat, and recurrent flooding, saying that this explains why the government designed a comprehensive Drainage Master Plan to safeguard the city and keep flooding at bay.

Unfortunately, he noted, the reverse often plays out because Lagosians continue to build on floodplains, block drainage channels, reclaim wetlands, adding that these actions, which most times are driven by personal economic gain, not only defy common sense but also directly violate the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law of 2017.

Wahab stressed that the aforementioned activities have recently resulted in flooding in Parkview, Banana Island, Osborne, Ikoyi, Victoria Island, Lekki, Ajah and beyond, stressing that these disasters are not natural but are man-made.

He said the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources has resolved these anthropogenic activities from time to time, but residents still persistently and brazenly defy environmental laws, stressing that there will be no hiding place for defaulters and saboteurs.  

He emphasised that the government would not fold its hands and watch a few individuals put the lives of the good people of the State in jeopardy because of their personal gains, saying the law must and will be enforced.

Wahab added that beyond the Single-use Plastic Ban, the government is committed to sustainable solutions and recently signed an MoU with the Jospong Group to turn waste at Olusosun dumpsite into wealth and Harvest Waste to replicate the same at the Epe landfill. 

He disclosed that together with C40 Cities, the government is piloting a biogas facility at Ikosi Fruit Market by converting 500kg of fruit waste daily into clean energy, adding that the market now enjoys reliable street lighting, cooking gas and even phone charging stations, all from waste.