Residents of Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State have written to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on the devastating impact of ocean surge which has completely submerged some homes in the area, and said to have displaced over 1,000 households, The New Diplomat learnt.
The concerned residents lamented the constant occurrence of ocean surge in Eti-Osa, particularly around Okun Alfa axis (Alfa Beach) and its environs as some communities in the area are now under the threat of extinction, amid concerns over the sandfilling and land reclamation activities along the Lekki-Epe corridor of Lagos that have continued to shrink liveable spaces in several coastal communities.
The residents said ocean surge had recently displaced over 1000 persons from their homes and ruined many businesses in the area.
In the SOS letter, they urged the Lagos Governor to with immediate come to their rescue, noting that failure to do so could spell doom.
The letter was jointly signed by the Conveners of ‘Save Eti-Osa Ocean Surge Now’: Hon. Sheriff Elegushi, Hon. Azeez Raji Rasaki and Barrister Oladotun Hassan and made available to The New Diplomat on Friday.
The residents, while proscribing solutions to stop the ocean surge phenomenon in the coastal community urged Governor Sanwo-Olu to commence immediate palliative of rock/sandfilling and construction of shoreline barricades.
The letter reads, “With sublime humility, we heartily felicitates with Your Excellency and the good people of Lagos State and All Nigerians on the occasion of our nation’s 61st Independence Day Anniversary today 1st day of October, 2021.
“While using this medium to specially appreciate Your Excellency’s good works of ensuring succinct delivery of dividends of democracy to all Lagosians, in consonance with your great vision of a #GreaterLagos.
“Your Excellency Sir, we are concerned citizens of Lagos State domiciled within Eti-Osa Local Government, particularly Coastal areas and affected communities around Okun Alfa axis (Alfa Beach) and its environs respectively.
“As we write with heart of grave fear of the unknown of what will become in few days time of millions of lives and properties around our Coastal lines shores, currently facing unmitigated challenges as a result of the protracted hydraheaded Ocean Surge impending disaster in the area.
“As we speak, more than 1000 families displaced, businesses perished and houses have been submerged under the ocean waters; Communities around Lafiaji Community, Okun Ajah Community, Okun Mopo Community, and many more are currently endangered to be swept off if nothing urgently is done to stop and avert the ongoing Ocean Surge in the community.
“Our humble appeal is to request Your Excellency to commence immediate palliative of rock/sandfilling and construction of shoreline barricades that will protect the environment from being overrun by the looming beach Ocean Surge.
“As part of other measures is to seek Your Excellency partnership towards the hosting of the maiden edition of the Ocean Surge Summit, at a mutually agreed date, time and venue, where critical stakeholders from both private and public sector can cross-fertilize ideas on proffering immediate solutions and long-term growth plans to avert future occurrences of this stalemate in our environment.
“Kindly seek an audience/appointment at your earliest convenient date and time for onward presentation of our strategic plan of actions, based on professional and well researched technical inputs,” the letter to Sanwo-Olu said.
