The Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Office of Drainage Services and Water Resources, Mahmood Adegbite, has raised serious concerns over the quality of borehole water in the Lekki area, warning that residents may be unknowingly consuming contaminated water.
Speaking during a recent stakeholders’ meeting, Adegbite highlighted the health risks posed by untreated wastewater in the area and stressed the urgent need for improved wastewater treatment infrastructure.
“Everyone digging boreholes within the Lekki axis is probably drinking what I would call ‘contaminated water’,” Adegbite stated.
“If we can successfully treat all the wastewater in this axis—which we are planning for—we will be able to eliminate diseases that arise from consuming untreated water.”
Adegbite’s blunt remarks, which included the phrase “shit water” to describe the likely contamination level, sparked attention but underscored the gravity of the situation.
He further addressed broader environmental challenges in Lagos, particularly flooding, which has intensified in recent weeks.
“Just yesterday, we experienced heavy rainfall during what is supposed to be the August break. That’s unusual and is happening due to a mix of complex environmental factors,” he explained.
“Despite the government’s heavy investment in flood control, there’s still a lot of work to be done.”
Adegbite emphasized the government’s commitment to addressing both wastewater management and flooding but acknowledged that both require long-term investment and cooperation from stakeholders.
