Nigeria's water-starved 'Venice of Africa'
Published on by Water Network Research, Official research team of The Water Network in Social
It is no ordinary neighbourhood of Lagos - Nigeria's most populous city - with some calling it the "Venice of Africa". This 200-year-old water-world, however, is a vast slum with hovels built upon wooden stilts.
A paradox is also at play: While the Makoko community thrives on water, residents here lack access to safe drinking water. When it rains, conditions turn particularly nasty. On a recent Sunday, rain pushed sewage and waste through the slum, leaving behind a foul stench.
At the water's edge, a group of children manned what looked like a taxi stand. Only the taxis were spindle shaped wooden canoes that led passengers deeper into the heart of the shanty town.
"Come, come!" the boys yelled. They paddled hard, competing for their canoes to be closest to the pier. The boats - about three metres in length - are unstable but the only mode of transport available to most of Makoko's residents.
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