Lagos Government Warns Lekki Residents: Contaminated Boreholes Pose Major Health Risk
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Government Warns Lekki Residents
Residents of Lekki in Lagos State have been issued a serious health warning by Mahmood Adegbite, the Permanent Secretary of the Office of Drainage Services and Water Resources. Speaking at a recent stakeholders’ meeting, Adegbite revealed that many residents relying on borehole water may unknowingly be consuming what he bluntly described as “shit water,” due to severe contamination from untreated wastewater.
Adegbite emphasized the urgent public health risks associated with using polluted borehole water. He explained that untreated sewage in the Lekki axis is leaching into the groundwater, posing a grave threat to residents’ health. The lack of effective wastewater treatment has led to the contamination of many boreholes — a primary water source for homes and businesses in the area. Government Warns Lekki Residents
“If we can successfully treat all the wastewater within the Lekki axis, as we are planning, we will be able to eradicate any form of disease that might arise as a result of untreated waste,” Adegbite stated.
He reassured the public that the Lagos State Government is actively working on comprehensive wastewater treatment plans to address the issue and prevent the spread of waterborne diseases. These efforts, he stressed, are critical to ensuring safe and clean drinking water for the growing population of Lekki and other parts of Lagos.
The warning comes amid increased concern about environmental and health challenges in Lagos — one of Nigeria’s fastest-growing urban centers. The widespread reliance on borehole water in Lekki is largely due to inadequate access to municipal water supply, making the contamination issue even more pressing.
In addition to water contamination, Adegbite also spoke about Lagos’ worsening flooding crisis. He cited recent heavy rainfall during the normally dry “August break” as a sign of changing climate patterns and inadequate drainage systems. “Yesterday, it rained heavily, which is unusual because this is supposed to be the August break,” he noted, stressing that unpredictable weather, urban sprawl, and poor waste disposal contribute to persistent flooding in the state. Government Warns Lekki Residents
Despite massive investments in flood control infrastructure, Adegbite admitted that more work is needed. “We still have a lot to do,” he said, urging residents and private stakeholders to support the state’s environmental initiatives.
He called for community collaboration in implementing sustainable solutions such as improved wastewater treatment and better drainage management. Adegbite’s remarks serve as a wake-up call to residents of Lekki and beyond: be cautious about water sources and engage with efforts to create a cleaner, safer Lagos.
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