The Lagos State Government has issued a strong warning about potential contamination of underground water in the Lekki area, cautioning that residents relying on boreholes may be consuming unsafe water.
This was revealed during a recent stakeholders’ meeting by Mahmood Adegbite, Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services and Water Resources. Adegbite stated that untreated wastewater in Lekki is seeping into the water table, posing serious health risks to thousands of residents.
“On wastewater treatment, I will say that everyone digging borehole within the Lekki axis is probably drinking what I will call ‘shit water,’” Adegbite bluntly warned.
He added that unless comprehensive wastewater treatment measures are implemented, the situation may worsen, leading to waterborne disease outbreaks in the community.
“If we are able to treat all the wastewater within this axis, which we have plans for, we should be able to eradicate any form of disease resulting from non-treatment of our waste,” he said.
Adegbite stressed the urgent need for wastewater infrastructure upgrades in Lekki, calling for coordinated efforts to protect public health and preserve environmental integrity.
Speaking further, he addressed broader environmental issues affecting Lagos, particularly urban flooding, noting that despite the state’s efforts, challenges remain.
“Yesterday, it rained heavily which is unusual because this is supposed to be August break. However, we started having it because of a lot of complex issues,” he explained.
“Basically, in terms of flooding, despite the fact that we have committed so much, however, we still need a lot to do in that space,” Adegbite admitted.
The warning comes amid rising concerns about rapid urbanisation in Lekki and its impact on infrastructure, waste management, and drainage systems. The state government says it is finalising plans to enhance wastewater treatment capacity in the area.
Residents are urged to exercise caution and consider water purification options until further safeguards are put in place.
