October 11, 2025-Published by Cyril
The Lagos State Government has demolished 17 buildings illegally constructed on the right-of-way (RoW) of the Ikota River alignment, as part of ongoing efforts to protect waterways and prevent flooding across the state.
The demolition, led by Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, took place on Saturday during a monitoring and enforcement exercise attended by journalists.
Wahab warned residents against unlawful reclamation of wetlands and environmental violations, noting that nature always “retaliates” against human negligence.
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- “We stopped them months ago, but recently received reports that the encroachment had resumed aggressively, with attempts to sell land to unsuspecting buyers,” Wahab stated.
He said the state government had now taken decisive action to clear all illegal structures and prosecute those responsible for the unlawful activities.
The commissioner emphasized that while flooding cannot be completely eradicated in a coastal city like Lagos, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, lagoons, and rivers, the government remains committed to reducing its impact through sustainable infrastructure.
- “What we can do is reduce the effects through resilient infrastructure, which Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has consistently provided and maintained,” Wahab said.
Despite the state’s continuous desilting and drainage maintenance, Wahab lamented that some individuals still block waterways for private gain. He cited property number 156, which he said obstructed the coastal road alignment and disrupted water flow.
- “That property will be cleared to allow the Ikota channel to discharge freely into the Lagos Lagoon,” he added.
He clarified that demolition is not always the government’s first resort, as developers are sometimes allowed to propose practical drainage designs—at their own cost.
- “It’s irresponsible for taxpayers to bear the cost of correcting problems caused by private developers who profit from violating environmental laws,” Wahab said.
During an inspection of the Lekki–Epe corridor, Wahab also decried the large-scale encroachment on wetlands originally designed to absorb excess rainwater. He revealed that drone surveillance exposed severe environmental damage, including the destruction of coconut trees planted for soil stabilization.
He said violators had already received demolition notices on September 26, ahead of planned infrastructure work on the route. The inspection, he explained, was to align environmental protection with the Ministry of Transport’s Green Line Rail project.
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Also speaking, Commissioner for Transport, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, confirmed that the Green Line Rail, which will stretch from Marina to Epe, is expected to commence in December 2025 after stakeholder consultations and feasibility studies.
Osiyemi revealed that some car dealers granted temporary approval to use power line spaces had violated agreements by erecting permanent structures on wetlands.
- “As a state, we must enforce compliance and protect the environment while pursuing our transport development goals,” Osiyemi said.
He added that the three-year Green Line Rail project is part of Lagos State’s integrated transport system designed to ease mobility across the metropolis.
Other locations visited during the inspection included Chevron Gate off Orchid Road, Partibon Homes, Oral Extension Phase 2, and Park View in Ikoyi.
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