Tokunbo Wahab overseeing demolition in Lagos” />
The Lagos State Government has recently taken firm steps by demolishing 17 residential buildings illegally erected within the Right of Way (RoW) along the Ikota River corridor. This decisive action aims to protect the natural waterway and prevent further environmental degradation.
Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, led the enforcement team during a site visit on Saturday, accompanied by members of the media to ensure transparency in the operation.
Addressing the local community, Wahab urged residents to avoid activities that damage the environment, emphasizing that ecosystems inevitably suffer when human actions disregard natural boundaries and engage in unlawful land reclamation.
He disclosed that the ministry had been alerted months earlier about unauthorized reclamation efforts that threatened to reduce the river’s designated RoW. Initial interventions temporarily halted these activities, but recent intelligence revealed a resurgence of encroachment, including attempts to sell these illegally acquired plots to unsuspecting buyers.
In response, the ministry has intensified enforcement, removing all illegal structures within the affected corridor. Wahab assured that those responsible for these violations would face prosecution under applicable laws.
Regarding flood management, Wahab acknowledged the challenges of completely eliminating flood risks in a coastal city like Lagos, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, lagoons, and numerous rivers. Instead, the government’s strategy focuses on mitigating flood impacts through the construction and maintenance of robust infrastructure-a priority strongly backed by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Despite ongoing efforts to keep drainage channels clear, Wahab lamented that some property owners continue to obstruct waterways for personal gain. He cited property number 156 as an example, which blocks the coastal road alignment and disrupts natural water flow. The government plans to clear this site to restore unobstructed water discharge from the Ikota channel into Lagos Lagoon.
Wahab stressed that demolition is a last resort; the government often encourages developers to submit effective stormwater management plans. However, he insisted that the financial burden for such measures should rest with the developers, not taxpayers. He criticized the expectation that the government should cover costs to remedy environmental harm caused by private parties flouting regulations for profit.
During an inspection along the Lekki-Epe corridor, Wahab expressed concern over extensive encroachment on wetlands, which serve as natural buffers to absorb excess rainfall. Drone footage revealed significant damage, including the removal of coconut trees planted to aid water retention.
Offenders received official notices on September 26, ahead of planned transport infrastructure projects in the area. This inspection aligns with efforts to integrate environmental preservation with the Ministry of Transport’s upcoming Green Line Rail initiative.
Commissioner for Transport, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, announced that the Green Line project is scheduled to commence in December, following thorough stakeholder consultations and feasibility studies. He highlighted that some car dealers, previously allowed temporary use of power line corridors, violated terms by erecting permanent structures on protected wetlands.
“It is crucial to enforce environmental regulations while advancing transport development,” Osiyemi affirmed. The rail line, stretching from Marina to Epe, is expected to take about three years to complete and will provide a comprehensive transport solution for the region.
Other locations inspected during the tour included Chevron Gate off Orchid Road, Partibon Homes, Oral Extension Phase 2, and Park View in Ikoyi, underscoring the government’s commitment to balancing urban development with environmental stewardship.