In a bid to uphold environmental regulations and prevent potential hazards, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources in Lagos State, Tokunbo Wahab, has issued a seven-day contravention notice to owners of buildings along Orchid Road, Agungi, Ajiran, Conservation Road, and Osapa, all situated along the Ikota River.
The announcement was made during an extensive inspection tour of the Ikota River corridor, where Mr. Wahab, alongside the Special Adviser on Environment, Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu, assessed the compliance of property owners with the approved seven-meter setback on both sides of the channel.
Emphasizing the importance of adhering to the state’s drainage master plan, Commissioner Wahab urged Lagosians to respect the regulations to avoid potential property demolition. He underlined the state’s commitment to enforcing the law and reclaiming drainage setbacks, following the expiration of the issued notices.
The commissioner revealed that the Nigerian Conservation Foundation had previously submitted a petition, citing distortions on their roads and damage to the natural habitat of animals. He expressed concern about the impact on Orchid Road’s drainage channel, designed to divert stormwater from communities into the Lagoon.
Despite the state’s efforts to engage property owners and adjust setback alignments from seven meters to six meters, Commissioner Wahab stressed the necessity of enforcing laws to prevent flooding. He reiterated that developers, builders, and residents must be responsible to maintain law and order for sustainable development.
The inspection extended to Oral Estate II along System 156 Igbo Efon, where illegal structures were found blocking the primary channel without proper drainage approvals. The commissioner also visited Agungi, Ajiran, and Osapa, where final decisions on encroachment would be made based on the observed setbacks of primary channels and secondary collectors.
Commissioner Wahab disclosed that the setback for the System 156 Ikota River channel was originally 46 meters but had been reduced by property owners and residents. Additionally, a stop-work order was issued to Gravitas company on Chevron Drive for sand filling part of Ikota River, impacting the lagoon’s free flow of water.
The commissioner’s commitment to environmental enforcement was evident in the supervision of the demolition of shanties on Thompson Avenue. This action followed security concerns raised by residents and aimed to eliminate environmental infractions, shanties, and potential security risks.
Commissioner Wahab urged all squatters to relocate promptly, emphasizing the state’s determination to rid itself of environmental nuisances and security risks. He highlighted the government’s ongoing efforts in comprehensive cleaning, maintenance, dredging of drainage channels, and constructing new drainages to address flooding and maintain a sustainable environment.
The Special Adviser on Environment emphasized the need for citizens’ full participation in governance and collaboration among communities and governmental bodies to achieve significant improvements in environmental sanitation and sustainability.
