The Okun-Alfa Community in Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State has issued a desperate appeal to both the Federal and State Governments to intervene in the ongoing ocean surge that is steadily engulfing the area.
Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday, Mr. Adekunle Elegushi, Chairman of the Community Development Association (CDA), revealed that more than 70 percent of the community’s land has already been claimed by the ocean.
“This community has been in existence for many years. Our land is gradually being submerged,” Elegushi lamented. “In 2009, the former governor of Lagos, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, tried to fix the problem to stop the surge. But the project stopped. There was no continuity, and that’s why more land has been washed away.”
He explained that the situation has become so dire that the government-mandated 200-meter setback from the ocean is no longer feasible, as more than 1,000 meters of land have already been submerged. Elegushi emphasized the need for urgent land reclamation to save the community from complete extinction.
“Many people staying here live in emergency shelters because their homes have been destroyed by the surge. Without the financial means to buy land and build again, they’re struggling to survive,” he said. “That’s why you see so many plank houses. But we are doing our best to rebuild with modern structures in line with the Lagos-Calabar coastal road project.”
The community leader called on the government to allocate ecological funds to help rescue and rehabilitate the area, similar to efforts seen in the ongoing Eko Atlantic City project.
“We appeal to President Bola Tinubu to come to our rescue. We also appreciate Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s efforts, but we all know this challenge is beyond the state’s capacity. It’s a Federal Government issue,” he stated. “This is an ancient community that appears on both federal and state maps. We are not illegal settlers. We deserve protection and restoration.”