The Lagos State Government has announced plans to remove illegal structures blocking drainage channels and canal setbacks in Lekki as part of efforts to reduce flooding and enforce environmental laws.
In a statement, the government said the demolition exercise will target encroachments in Agungi, Ajiran, and Ikota, warning that anyone found to have built on drainage alignments or canal right of way will not be exempt.
The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed this after inspecting key drainage infrastructure and flood control projects in Lekki, Agungi, Ikota, and Ajiran. The inspection followed recurring flooding in Agungi despite the completion of major drainage works in the area more than two years ago.
During the inspection, Wahab said officials discovered a major obstruction responsible for the persistent flooding in Ajiran, where a land-owning family had blocked the Ajiran outfall channel.
According to him, the family illegally blocked the outlet of a primary drainage channel that empties into the Lagos Lagoon, preventing stormwater from flowing out of the community.
He explained that the drainage system was designed to discharge floodwater naturally into the lagoon through gravity, adding that the blockage had seriously reduced its effectiveness.
“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 stressed that although the government respects legitimate land ownership and Certificates of Occupancy, no one has the right to obstruct public drainage infrastructure or natural waterways.
“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,” he stated.
Wahab explained that Agungi and Ajiran rely on a dedicated drainage channel that conveys stormwater through Chevron Drive into the Lagos Lagoon.
He warned that blocking drainage channels exposes residents to severe flooding despite the government’s huge investment in drainage infrastructure.
“You can imagine the level of flooding within the community, and eventually, the government gets blamed for inadequate 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 said.
The commissioner also inspected Megamond Estate in Ikota, where he said developers had illegally reclaimed part of the Ikota River and commenced construction without obtaining the required environmental and drainage approvals. He added that some of the developments exceeded the approvals earlier granted by the state government.
According to him, enforcement and abatement notices had already been issued to the developers but 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 infrastructures,” he noted.
Wahab said investigations confirmed that no application or approval had been granted for the development in question, adding that enforcement would begin without delay.
He reiterated that every development involving wetlands or water-related projects must comply with environmental regulations before construction begins.
According to him, developers must obtain an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and, where necessary, Wetland Clearance from the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources before carrying out any reclamation or construction.
The commissioner explained that the Environmental Impact Assessment helps determine the likely impact of proposed developments on the environment and identifies measures to reduce any negative effects.
He added that the ministry operates an integrated approval process in collaboration with the Office of Drainage Services and other relevant departments to ensure drainage, environmental and wetland issues are properly addressed before approvals are granted.
Wahab lamented that many developers deliberately ignore these legal requirements by beginning reclamation and construction before seeking approval afterwards.
He maintained that the government would continue to remove illegal reclamations and developments that violate environmental laws.
“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 stated.
The commissioner also appealed to residents to support the government’s efforts by reporting environmental violations.
“We encourage Lagosians to see something and say something. The illegal activities discovered during today’s inspection came to our attention through whistleblowers. We investigated, verified the reports and acted immediately. Residents have a critical role to play in protecting our drainage infrastructure,” he added.
Wahab assured residents that the Lagos State Government would continue to protect lives, property and public infrastructure through strict enforcement of environmental laws and sustained investment in resilient drainage infrastructure.
