Lagos

The Lagos State Government has announced plans to immediately demolish illegal structures obstructing canals and drainage channel rights of way in Agungi, Ajiran and Ikota as part of efforts to tackle persistent flooding in the affected communities. According to a post on the Lagos State Government’s official X page, the…...

According to a post on the Lagos State Government’s official X page, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, announced the decision after inspecting key drainage infrastructure and flood mitigation projects in Lekki, Agungi, Ikota and Ajiran.

According to Wahab, the inspection revealed that the recurring flooding in Agungi was caused by the illegal blockage of the Ajiran outfall channel by a land-owning family.

“We discovered that the outlet into the lagoon had been deliberately blocked. Without opening that channel, the water cannot leave the area. We have therefore directed that it be reopened immediately in the overriding public interest,” he said.

The commissioner explained that the blocked drainage channel was designed to discharge stormwater by gravity into the Lagos Lagoon, adding that the obstruction had rendered the drainage infrastructure ineffective.

He stressed that while the government respects land ownership rights, no individual has the authority to obstruct public drainage infrastructure.

“No one is above the law; having title to land does not give anyone the authority to close a drainage channel or water body that serves thousands of residents. We are not taking anyone’s land; we are simply restoring the channel to allow water flow into the lagoon,” Wahab said.

He warned that residents ultimately suffer the consequences of illegal encroachments through severe flooding despite huge government investments in drainage infrastructure.

“Taxpayers’ money is being used to construct and maintain these drainage channels. Residents should not make the situation worse by blocking them. We will continue to open up blocked drainage channels wherever they are found in the overriding public interest,” he added.

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During the inspection, Wahab also visited Megamond Estate in Ikota, where developers were found to have reclaimed part of the Ikota River and commenced construction without obtaining the required environmental and drainage approvals.

He disclosed that enforcement notices previously issued to the developers were ignored.

“From tomorrow morning, all illegal structures erected on reclaimed drainage alignments without approval in this estate will be removed. This action will send a clear message that Lagos will not tolerate encroachment on drainage channels or public infrastructure,” he said.

The commissioner said investigations confirmed that no approval had been granted for the development, adding that enforcement would proceed without delay.

Wahab reminded developers that all projects involving wetlands or water-related areas must obtain Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) approvals and, where necessary, Wetland Clearance from the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources before construction begins.

He accused some developers of deliberately bypassing statutory requirements by commencing reclamation and construction before seeking regularisation.

“We don’t care whose ox is gored. It is unfair to the system, unfair to law-abiding residents and unacceptable because it compromises public safety,” he said.

The commissioner also urged Lagos residents to report environmental violations, noting that the illegal activities uncovered during the inspection were brought to the government’s attention by whistleblowers.

He assured residents that the state government would continue enforcing environmental laws and investing in resilient drainage infrastructure to protect lives, property and public assets from flooding.