The Lagos State Government has raised alarm over the quality of borehole water consumed by residents in the Lekki area, warning that many may unknowingly be drinking water contaminated with human waste.
The warning was issued by Mahmood Adegbite, Permanent Secretary of the Office of Drainage Services and Water Resources, during a stakeholders’ meeting held recently in the state.
“Everyone digging boreholes within the Lekki axis is probably drinking what I will call ‘shit water,’” Adegbite bluntly stated, citing the absence of proper wastewater treatment as a major contributor to water contamination in the area.
He explained that without treating wastewater, the risk of disease outbreaks remains high. “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 that might result from non-treatment,” he said.
Adegbite also expressed concerns about persistent flooding in Lagos, noting that despite significant government investments, challenges remain. “Yesterday, it rained heavily, which is unusual for this time of August break,” he said. “We’re dealing with a lot of complex issues. We’ve done a lot, but more work still needs to be done.”
The Lagos State Government has pledged to intensify efforts in wastewater management and flood control, especially in rapidly developing areas like Lekki.
