- Bode George blamed excessive sand-filling of the Lagos Lagoon for worsening flooding in Lagos
- He said land reclamation has disrupted the natural flow of rainwater into the lagoon
- George urged greater consideration of environmental impacts in urban development
Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bode George, has attributed the recurring flooding in parts of Lagos to excessive land reclamation and indiscriminate sand-filling of the Lagos Lagoon.
Speaking during an interview with real estate expert Femi Rogers, Eko Hot Blog gathered that which was shared on Facebook on Thursday, George said the natural landscape of areas such as Ikoyi and Lekki had been drastically altered over the years through large-scale reclamation projects.
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He explained that much of the land currently occupied by residential and commercial developments was once covered by water.
According to George, the environmental effects of these activities are now becoming increasingly evident, with frequent flooding affecting several parts of the state.
He noted that historical records of the transformation of Lagos’ coastline remain poorly documented, making it difficult for many residents to understand the extent of the changes.
George said Lekki communities existed long before the extensive sand-filling projects that eventually linked parts of the area to Ikoyi.
He warned that continuous reclamation had significantly reduced the lagoon’s ability to absorb stormwater, increasing the risk of flooding.
Expressing concern over the situation, George argued that unchecked sand-filling had raised the water level of the lagoon in some areas, particularly around the IBB Bridge.
He said this had disrupted the natural flow of rainwater into the lagoon, as many developers focused on creating waterfront properties without considering the long-term environmental consequences.
According to him, the altered landscape now makes it difficult for floodwater to drain naturally, leaving roads submerged whenever heavy rainfall occurs.
George maintained that without the installation of effective pumping systems, flooding would persist because the lagoon now sits at a higher level than some adjoining roads.
He cited the Obalende Canal as one of the areas where the impact of poor drainage and rising water levels is most evident during the rainy season.
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