EQ2 - 3.6 Rapid Population Growth Creates Opportunities And Challenges For People Living In The Chosen Megacity (C)

Question 1

How has rapid population growth influenced higher income in Lagos?

Answer 1

• About 4x higher than those in rural areas and informal sector jobs mean most people can find a way of making money - the huge population means there is a large market for services.

Question 2

How has rapid population growth influenced industry in Lagos?

Answer 2

• Lagos is home to may banks, government departments and manufacturing industries.
• 2 major ports and a fishing industry, all of which provide employment.
• Rapid growth of the city means there are lots of construction jobs.

Question 3

How has rapid population growth influenced healthcare and schooling improvement in Lagos?

Answer 3

• More healthcare centres and hospitals and a better range of medicines in Lagos and there is better access to higher education - Lagos has 6 universities.

Question 4

How has rapid population growth influenced water and electrical improvement in Lagos?

Answer 4

• Possible to access electricity and water networks as well as TV and the internet.

Question 5

What challenges in squatter settlements are Lagos facing?

Answer 5

• Over 60% of the population live in slums.
• Houses are often flimsy or wooden huts - illegally built so people are faced with eviction if the slums aren’t demolished.
• Only electricity comes from illegal connections.
• High levels of crime, many slums are patrolled by ‘area boys’ who commit crimes and act as informal police in the slum.

Question 6

What ‘Limited service provision’ challenges are Lagos facing?

Answer 6

• Isn’t enough schools for the population.

- Isn’t enough healthcare facilities and many people can’t afford to pay for treatment.

Question 7

What waste disposal challenges does Lagos face?

Answer 7

• Most of the city doesn’t have proper access to sewers. In Makoko, communal toilets are shared between 15 households and most of the waste goes straight to the Lagoon; lagoon is always full of rubbish and raw sewage.
• The huge population produces lots of waste approximately 9000tonnes per day.
• Only about 40% of rubbish is officially collected.

Question 8

What challenges are caused by traffic congestion in Lagos?

Answer 8

• Little investment in transport infrastructure, despite the city growing enormously.
• Public transport is limited, although there are plants to improve it.
• CBD is on an island, only 3 bridges link it to the rest of the city.

Question 9

What challenges are caused by poor employment conditions in Lagos?

Answer 9

• Isn’t enough formal jobs for the growing population - people have to make money in anyway they can.
• 60% of the population work in informal jobs.
• No protection for informal worker. Street sellers’ stalls are bulldozed to make way for new developments and road widening.
• Lots of people live on $1.25 a day.

Question 10

What challenges are caused by water supply in Lagos?

Answer 10

• 40% of the city is connected to state water supply.
• Pipes are old and rusty - water often gets contaminated with sewage.
• State water company only supplies less than half of what is needed. Water is such short supply that people pay hugely inflated prices to get water from informal sellers.