Bode George Blames Sand-Filling for Lagos Flooding

Bode George, the former deputy national chairman of the People Democratic Party, has criticized the ongoing flooding in Lagos, attributing it to "greedy" sand-filling practices. In an interview, he highlighted that significant portions of Ikoyi and Lekki have been altered by land reclamation projects, which disrupt natural landscapes and drainage systems.

George noted that the history of sand-filling in areas like Ikoyi and Lekki has not been properly documented, leading to a lack of awareness about its environmental impact. He warned that excessive land reclamation reduces the lagoon's capacity to receive stormwater, worsening flooding across Lagos.

George emphasized that without a mechanical pumping system, floodwaters will continue to accumulate, as the lagoon sits at a higher level than surrounding infrastructure. He stated that during the rainy season, water flows into the roads instead of the lagoon, leading to widespread flooding in areas like Obalende Canal.