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Former gubernatorial candidate of Lagos State, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour has raised concerns over the environmental and social impact of sand filling in Lagos, particularly as it affects Makoko and other coastal communities.
“Now, for a state that has tried to show a lot of commitment on maintaining drainage of water out of the city, demolishing properties that feel contravened the plan for the city, haphazard sand filling is a present danger and is something that is the prime reason for the flooding of Lagos state,” he said.
Speaking during an interview on ARISE NEWS on Sunday, Rhodes-Vivour criticised the ongoing land reclamation projects, arguing that they contribute significantly to flooding and disproportionately favour the wealthy while displacing vulnerable populations.
Rhodes-Vivour highlighted the potential impact of a new 53.4-hectare land reclamation project, warning that it would disrupt the natural flow of water into the lagoon, leading to increased flooding.
According to him, similar developments, have previously caused flooding in Lagos Island and affected markets like Sura Market.
He also pointed out the consequences of the Eko Atlantic project, stating that while it has protected Victoria Island, it has displaced water towards unprotected coastal communities.
“As the water is pushing now against the wall, it’s going to a lot of pressure against all the other coastal communities that don’t have protection,” he stated. He emphasised the importance of preserving wetlands and controlling sand filling, warning that unchecked reclamation projects would leave Lagos mainland vulnerable to severe flooding.
Beyond environmental concerns, Rhodes-Vivour addressed the social implications of evicting Makoko residents. He noted that the community, which has existed for over 200 years, is home to fishermen and loggers whose livelihoods depend on the water.
“If you’re pushing them away from their source of income and all that, how are they going to be retooled?” he asked. Rather than demolishing Makoko, he proposed a development model that upgrades the area while preserving its unique character.
“Look at Venice. Venice is literally built like Makoko, but just in a nicer way. It’s built on stilts,” he said, adding that similar urban planning solutions could be implemented in Lagos.
When asked about empirical evidence linking sand filling to flooding, Rhodes-Vivour pointed to past incidents, such as the flooding of parts of Lagos Island following the reclamation of Ilubirin.
“Entire parts of Lagos Island were submerged. So our market also was flooded as a result of that. And this has been admitted and accepted by government,” he stated. He explained that land reclamation disrupts natural water flow, forcing the government to rely on mechanical drainage solutions.
On the issue of urban development, Rhodes-Vivour argued that land reclamation primarily benefits the elite, as the high costs associated with sand filling make the resulting properties unaffordable for most Lagosians.
“The moment you start to sand fill land, you’re creating buildings and development for the wealthy. Because the cost of sand filling alone is enormous, and if you’re going to make that money back, your price points are going to be beyond 85 to 90 percent of people that live in Lagos,” he explained.
He advocated for focusing development efforts on areas such as Epe, Ibeju Lekki, Ikorodu, and Badagry, with improved connectivity across Lagos to reduce congestion in central areas.
While he acknowledged that factors like poor drainage infrastructure and unregulated building contribute to flooding, he insisted that large-scale sand filling projects are the primary cause.
“If you take 53 hectares of land and you put it in a place that normally water was flowing, the scale of the disruption of the water flow is much more significant than the scale of water going to a gutter, right?” he argued. He also stressed the importance of wetland conservation, citing examples from the Netherlands and Venice, where innovative urban planning has allowed cities to coexist with water.
When asked how he would handle Makoko as governor, Rhodes-Vivour proposed a collaborative approach that includes upgrading infrastructure and incorporating tourism and art communities into the area.
“Building on stilts, renovating it. Will you leave it as a floating city? I believe that part of it should be left as a floating city, right? And I believe that it can be built upwards,” he stated. He emphasised that development should not displace existing residents but should instead improve their living conditions and provide alternative income opportunities.
Regarding the role of Eko Atlantic in protecting Victoria Island from flooding, he argued that the project should have been part of a broader coastal protection plan.
“VI has benefited, but the other coastal communities must also benefit,” he said. He criticised the lack of transparency in environmental impact assessments, suggesting that approvals are often granted based on political connections rather than genuine ecological studies.
Rhodes-Vivour concluded by calling for a more inclusive and strategic approach to urban planning in Lagos. He emphasised the need to balance economic development with environmental sustainability and social equity, warning that continued unchecked sand filling could have severe long-term consequences for the state.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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