Photo credit: the Punch
That Lagos is a coastal city is stating the obvious.However, our failure to learn from what has become, more or less, an annual event has constantly befuddled me.
Our waste evacuation system is, to say the least, horrible. We see the drains as refuse dumps. And, when no one is about, we dump our refuse just anywhere.
The rich amongst us spend billions to reclaim land from the ocean. They then set up magnificent structures as residential buildings.
If I were in their shoes, I will make the ownership of a boat an essential duty. I will also learn to swim.
The government continues to egg them on. In fact, I understand the government is at the forefront of the reclamation. It’s all about internally generated revenue.
That’s great!
But must we continue doing the same thing perpetually. Especially when we see that it is not in our best interest.
Must we reclaim?
Let’s look into other ways of occupation that does not involve reclaiming. By the way, did you know that reclamation drives away most aquatic elements, both animals and plants. Even the weather will not be the same again.
But then, if we must live on water, why don’t we adopt a modified form of the Makoko style. I mean building houses on concrete stilts. Makoko is said to be a slum set up by timber merchants who came, in most cases, from Ondo State. They have made homes out of the place.
Our wealthy people could just copy the basics of the stilts. Of course, they will modernise it. Na money dey talk!
I’m no engineer but I suspect it is possible to build houses on concrete stilts. If this could be done, the water will be able to flow freely, so will the sea flora and fauna. The flotsam and jetsam will definitely not be left out.
They will be doing their own businesses undisturbed.
If this is possible, then those who are lucky to live there do not need to buy seafood again. It is just a matter of reaching into the waters!
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