2. OUTLINE
What is sustainable development
Facts about my city: Lagos, Nigeria
How we live
Areas of improvement
3. What is sustainable development?
Is this obtainable in my city; Lagos? - NO
Sustainable development is development that meets the
needs of the present, without compromising the ability of
future generations to meet their own needs.
WHAT IS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT?
4. FACTS ABOUT MY CITY: LAGOS, NIGERIA
Lagos is the most populous city in Nigeria.
Research has shown that Lagos is the second fastest growing city in Africa and the
seventh fastest growing city in the world.
Lagos is Nigeria's economic focal point, generating a significant portion of the
country's GDP.
The port of Lagos is Nigeria's leading port and one of the largest and busiest in
Africa.
The high influx of people into Lagos and its ever growing population has increased
its inhabitants anti-sustainable behaviors.
5. HOW WE LIVE
Over population
Although Lagos state is the smallest state
in Nigeria, with an area of 356,861
hectares of which 75,755 hectares are
wetlands, yet it has the highest
population, which is over five per cent of
the national estimate
As at the last census held in 2006, Lagos
consisted of about 17.5 million people. In
2012, it was estimated at 21 million
people. As such the limited resources of
Lagos has become inadequate for its
teaming population.
6. Inadequate drainage
system/ flood
Most people in Lagos dump
refuse into drainages, which
sometimes do not get cleared as
often as they should. Also,
buildings are constructed along
natural drainage routes and on
flood plains.
HOW WE LIVE cont’d
7. Air pollution
Without considering industrial
pollution, motor vehicle
emissions largely contribute to
air pollution. There has also
been cases of deaths (families
killed in their sleep) from
carbon-monoxide emitted by
energy generators.
HOW WE LIVE cont’d
8. Refuse disposal/waste
management
About 50% of Lagosians still use
inappropriate channels to dispose of
their waste material. These
channels include dumping on
railroads, motorways and public
parks. Housing structures are also
erected on some large waste
dumps.
HOW WE LIVE cont’d
9. Haphazard/ hazardous
electrical wiring system
Lagos being a commercial nerve
center utilizes huge amounts of
electricity. This electricity is
distributed via electric poles .
These poles are subject to poor
maintenance and the connections
on them are haphazard. Several
cases of electrocution are
reported yearly.
HOW WE LIVE cont’d
10. Traffic:
An average worker gets stuck in
traffic for no less than 3 hours a
day. This is a direct cause of
overpopulation and inefficient /in
effective public transport system.
HOW WE LIVE cont’d
11. •Tax havens should be created in other cities. This will encourage
business and commercial ventures to relocate, effectively
diverting migration to such areas. This would ensure an even
population spread in the country.
Over
population
•Mandatory drainage cleaning exercise should be carried out by
inhabitants of Lagos. Also, building plans should be approved in
line with the city’s blue print to ensure that houses are not
erected on drainage channels.
Inadequate
drainage
system/ flood
•Usage of eco-friendly automobile (electric cars) should be
encourage and vehicles with harmful emissions should be
discouraged. Also, alternative sources of power (solar and wind)
should be explored as opposed to carbon fuel generators.
Air pollutions
AREAS OF IMPROVEMENT
12. • The available refuse disposal trucks should be
increased to measure up with the population. Also,
Lagosians should be sensitized on the benefits of
recycling non-biodegradable waste.
Refuse
disposal/waste
management
• Subterranean electricity distribution should be
explored so as to ensure that high tension wires are
not exposed to the public
Haphazard/
hazardous electrical
wiring system :
• Other means of public transport should be explored.
This should include rail and water. Car pooling
should also be encouraged amongst employees
working in same organizations.
Traffic
AREAS OF IMPROVEMENT cont’d
