Lagos to step up awareness on wetlands, biodiversity conservation

Lagos State Government on Wednesday 4 December 2024 emphasized its commitment to ramp-up the Advocacy and awareness campaign on the importance of wetlands to human existence.

Speaking during an awareness programme on Wetland and biodiversity conservation held at Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, (LCCI) Building, Nurudeen Olowopopo drive, Ikeja, the Special Adviser on Environment, Engr. Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu said Wetlands are a crucial part of the ecosystem gifted to specific communities by nature for the benefit of mankind.

Akodu while highlighting the theme for the programme ” The Importance of Wetlands to the Communities” said wetlands are distinct ecosystem saturated with water permanently or seasonally adding that these wetlands provide various ecosystem services such as underground water recharge, habitat for diverse flora and fauna, floodwater retention, and maintainance of surface water flow during dry seasons.

He said Lagos State is blessed with wetland areas in different parts of the State with the vegetation being predominantly tropical swamp forest and mangrove swamp forest adding that these vegetation is home to different species of flora and fauna that maintain ecological balance and sustainability.

The Special Adviser said the rate of urbanization in the state is unprecedented thereby putting pressure on the infrastructural development to accommodate the population adding that the percentage usage of wetlands for infrastructural development had increased astronomically over the years.

“Our State being the financial hub of the country with a land mass of 3,577 square kilometres housing over 22 Millon people; The resultant effect of the development is a detriment to our environment.; the rate of wetland loss and the disappearance of this ecosystem is alarming and can no longer be overlooked by Government” he said.

He said government is resolute to sustain the continuous monitoring of the remaining wetlands in the State with a view of protecting and preserving them in the interest of the communities saying Signages have been erected on identified wetlands zones within the State to prevent further encroachments.

Akodu said a lot of awareness, enlightenment and Advocacy is on- going in the wetland communities across Local Government and Local Council development areas to further educate the communities on the need to protect and preserve these crucial ecosystems for their own benefit.

He reiterated that the act of waste dumping on wetlands is unacceptable, adding that any development on wetlands in the State is subject to obtaining a wetland permit from the Ministry and must be subjected to thorough scrutiny with the overall public interest being the common denominator.

In his welcome Address, the Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Gaji Omobolaji said most of the Wetlands in the State have been encroached upon recklessly without consideration of their ecosystem values, stressing that this action has led to the rapid decline in the number and sizes of wetlands in the State.

Gaji explained that ensuring a Safe, Resilient and Sustainable Lagos through the Conservation, Protection and Restoration of terrestrial and aquatic natural resources for the wellbeing of the citizens in urban and rural areas of the State remains sacrosanct  to the Government.

He advised residents and community leaders to desist from indiscriminate reclamation of wetlands adding that all those involved in illegal habitat degradation, destruction and encroachment of wetlands should desist from this act as the State Government will not hesitate to prosecute when necessary.

In his presentation, the Guest Lecturer, Professor Alabi Soneye, said the human race is facing unprecedented pressure from natural and man-made activities stressing that if proper measures are not put in place, natural disasters are bound to occur.

He highlighted the major problems facing wetlands as uncontrolled dredging, erecting buildings indiscriminately pleading for all to respect and protect Nature and wetlands majorly for its benefit to human lives.