The Lagos State Government has issued a serious public health warning to residents of the Lekki axis, cautioning them against the consumption of untreated borehole water. In a blunt and alarming statement, the government stated that many residents in the area may unknowingly be drinking water contaminated with human waste.

This stark warning was delivered by Mahmood Adegbite, the Permanent Secretary of the Office of Drainage Services and Water Resources, during a recent stakeholders' meeting. Adegbite attributed the dangerous situation to the absence of proper wastewater treatment in the rapidly developing area, noting that the indiscriminate drilling of boreholes has created a serious public health crisis.

Identified Threats and Medical Consequences

The primary threat identified by the government is the contamination of groundwater with fecal matter. The geological and environmental conditions of the Lekki peninsula, combined with poor sanitation and a lack of centralized wastewater management, mean that sewage can easily seep into the water table, which is the source for most boreholes.

Drinking this "sewage water" poses a high risk of contracting a range of severe waterborne diseases. The medical consequences of violating this warning could include:

Cholera: A bacterial infection that causes severe watery diarrhea, leading to dehydration and, if left untreated, can be fatal.

Typhoid Fever: A life-threatening illness caused by Salmonella typhi bacteria, characterized by high fever, headache, abdominal pain, and sometimes a rash.

Dysentery: An infection of the intestines causing bloody diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps.

 Hepatitis A: A viral liver disease that can cause fatigue, nausea, abdominal pain, and jaundice.

Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): Studies in similar contexts have linked the use of contaminated water to an increased prevalence of UTIs, particularly in women.

Parasitic Worms: Exposure to water infested with parasitic worms can lead to diseases like schistosomiasis, which can cause long-term damage to internal organs.

The Funniest Part

The humor, or more accurately, the irony, in the situation is rooted in the stark contrast between the perception of Lekki and the reality of its infrastructure making the whole development so bitterly ironic, mostly considering the following:

"Lekki" as a Symbol of Wealth and Modernity: Lekki is widely known as one of the most affluent, modern, and sought-after residential areas in Lagos. It's associated with luxury, high-end real estate, and a certain level of social status. People who live there are often seen as having "made it."

The Problem is Fundamentally Basic: The warning reveals that this supposedly elite neighborhood is facing a sanitation problem that's as basic and severe as drinking water contaminated with human feces. The government official's blunt statement, "Everyone digging boreholes within the Lekki axis is probably drinking what I will call 'shit water,'" is a jarring dose of reality that shatters the image of luxury.

A "Center of Excellence" with a Center of Sickness: Lagos State's motto is "Centre of Excellence." It's one of Africa's leading economic hubs. The idea that a prime part of this "center of excellence" lacks the most fundamental public health infrastructure—proper sewage and water treatment—is deeply ironic.

The DIY "Solution" that Created the Problem: The residents, in the absence of a reliable public water supply, have taken matters into their own hands by drilling boreholes. This do-it-yourself approach to solving a basic need has, ironically, created a far more dangerous and widespread problem. They were trying to secure a clean water source but ended up with a potentially deadly one.

The humor, therefore, doesn't come from the situation itself being funny (it's a very serious public health risk), but from the absurd juxtaposition of wealth and a primitive public health crisis. It's a classic case of appearance versus reality, where a symbol of Nigerian progress and affluence is exposed as having a very serious, and very basic, flaw.

The Lagos State Water Regulatory Commission (LASWARCO) has consistently warned against the proliferation of unlicensed boreholes and has stressed the importance of proper regulation to protect the state's groundwater resources. The government has emphasized that it is working on plans to address the wastewater treatment issue and mitigate the health risks.

In the meantime, Lekki residents are strongly advised to cease drinking borehole water immediately and seek alternative, safe sources. The public should prioritize using treated and bottled water for drinking and cooking to avoid a potential widespread health crisis.