Lagos - challenges

Question 1

What are squatter settlements?

Answer 1

Collections of buildings built on land they have no legal right to own
Illegal settlements on land they do not own.
Provides shelter for the poorest in Lagos

Question 2

What are the problems with living in a squatter settlement?

Answer 2

High population density - limited land and hard to supply sanitation
Lack of plumbing or infrastructure is high - little to no clean water
No basic facilities or sanitation

Question 3

Challenges - water supply

Answer 3

Only 10% of the population have a treated water supply.
90% rely on wells or boreholes - high risk of unclean water
Water is often polluted by sewage

Question 4

Challenges - sanitation

Answer 4

Increase of diseases such as cholera and dysentery has increased in Lagos. This is due to poor water sanitation.
Sewage is washed into open drains by rainwater
Pollutants and sewage contaminate groundwater

Question 5

Challenges - Energy

Answer 5

Significant challenge in Lagos.
Organisations and wealthy rely on backup generators.

Question 6

Challenges - unemployment

Answer 6

Under 10% are unemployed.
No unemployment benefits - people work in the formal economy paying tax or illegally in the informal economy.
Around 40% are in informal employment such as Olusosun landfill.

Question 7

Challenges - crime

Answer 7

Crime rates are very high.
Street gangs known as area boys have a high presence on streets.
Involved in low level crimes. eg drugs.

Question 8

Challenges - waste disposal

Answer 8

Only 40% of waste is collected
Only 13% is recycled by those on the Olisosun landfill site

Question 9

Challenges - pollution

Answer 9

Poorly maintained and unregulated vehicles
Industrial waste and domestic sewage

Question 10

Challenges - traffic congestion

Answer 10

Lagos is one of the most congested cities in the world.
On average, people spend 3 hours in traffic
High chance of accidents, air pollution
High congestion leads to negative impact on businesses.