Lagos state, a vast expanse of lagoon, creeks and estuaries with substantial coastal terrain cannot fail to be both a place of interest and enigma. The coastal terrain is Kerala, Amazon and some deep rainforests in South East Asia combined. This rich coastal terrain is in abundance of human and diverse aquatic natural resources that could well be next big business and tourist attraction generating billions of dollars for Nigeria, we are yet to explore the potentials of boat cruises from Emina in Epe and 5 cowrie creeks in Lagos Island to beaches in Badagry.
Unfortunately, Water Hyacinth which I have chosen to call the ‘Beautiful Disaster’ is a huge menace to the way of life of the people living in these communities which is fishing. There are cases of people who get trapped in Seaweeds for days while pregnant women/ sick that has to be ferried to the hospital die as they could not leave their communities, some of which can only be reached by boats. I’m talking Seaweeds going as far as the eyes can see into the horizon. Sometimes it feels like our boat is on a huge green field peppered with brilliant pink/purple flowers.
To explore this, Lagos State government commissioned a pivotal health study of the coastal region to understand various human and demographic challenges of these long-neglected people.
The trip started from Epe and is designed to comb over 54 communities from Ologbokere, Emina, Oko Abe, Ito Omu, a round trip of about 200 km on water through massive swathes of sinistrous Water Hyacinth
The study was to impact on Maternal, Neonatal and Children health (MNCH), Water Sanitation and Hygiene, Health Literacy, Hypertension and Diabetic Screening, and Household Demographic Survey of this entire area.
The project at the inception made a huge impact on the people as they were able to frankly express their opinions on various governments from the start of this democratic experience. The dearth of critical infrastructures kept staring us in the face from one community to another.
The raping of the communities by Loggers, sand miners and dredgers continue without abatement with active connivance of the dark forces in government. ‘Who will now save us?’ lamented a Baale from one of the communities.
In Ibon, a big signboard straddling the lagoon and thick bush announced “Bond Estate”, a signal to the next rapacious annexation by greedy exploiters intent on subjugating the people. Perhaps they have been bribed, cajoled and subjugated by few naira without critical infrastructural support and meaningful input.
The Project it still on as there are still more villages to cover as at the publication of this story.
You must log in to post a comment.