By Oluwabukunmi
Government vows to prosecute violators, align enforcement with upcoming Green Line Rail project
The Lagos State Government has demolished 17 buildings illegally constructed on the right-of-way of the Ikota River alignment, as part of its ongoing efforts to safeguard waterways and prevent flooding across the state.
The demolition, carried out on Saturday, was supervised by the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, who led an enforcement and monitoring team — accompanied by journalists — to the affected area.
Wahab said the operation followed several warnings and enforcement notices issued to developers and landowners who encroached on the river channel despite earlier interventions.
“We stopped them some months ago when illegal reclamation began, but our attention was recently drawn to renewed encroachments and even attempts to sell the land to unsuspecting buyers,” Wahab said.
He added that the ministry had received numerous reports about ongoing reclamation activities intended to narrow the natural course of the river, warning that such actions could worsen flooding and endanger lives.
According to the commissioner, the state government would identify and prosecute all individuals and developers responsible for the illegal activities.
“Nature always retaliates against negligence. When you block natural waterways, flooding is inevitable,” Wahab cautioned.
Flood Control and Infrastructure
While acknowledging that Lagos, being a coastal state surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, lagoons, and rivers, cannot completely eliminate flooding, Wahab stressed that the Sanwo-Olu administration continues to invest in resilient infrastructure to reduce its impact.
“Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has consistently provided and maintained infrastructure that minimizes the effects of flooding. However, our efforts are often undermined by those who obstruct drainage channels and reclaim wetlands for profit,” he said.
The commissioner cited Property No. 156 as a major obstruction on the Ikota coastal road alignment, explaining that it had blocked water flow into the Lagos Lagoon.
“That property will be cleared immediately to restore the natural discharge channel of the Ikota River,” Wahab stated.
He emphasized that demolition is never the state’s first option, noting that developers are usually given opportunities to propose viable stormwater discharge designs — at their own cost.
“It is irresponsible for taxpayers to bear the cost of rectifying problems created by private developers who profit from violating environmental laws,” he said.
Encroachment on Wetlands and Green Line Project
During an inspection of the Lekki–Epe corridor, Wahab expressed concern over massive encroachments on wetlands designed to serve as natural water retention zones.
He disclosed that drone surveillance had uncovered extensive damage to the wetland corridor, including the destruction of coconut trees planted for soil stability.
According to him, demolition notices were issued on September 26 to violators in preparation for upcoming transport infrastructure projects.
The inspection, Wahab explained, was meant to align environmental preservation efforts with the Ministry of Transport’s Green Line Rail Project, part of the state’s long-term mobility and sustainability plan.
Also speaking during the inspection, Commissioner for Transport, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, announced that the Green Line Rail Project, which will run from Marina to Epe, is expected to commence in December following stakeholder consultations and feasibility studies.
Osiyemi revealed that some car dealers, who were temporarily permitted to occupy power line spaces, had violated terms by building permanent structures on wetlands, prompting enforcement action.
“As a government, we must strike a balance between development and environmental protection. Compliance is non-negotiable,” Osiyemi said.
He added that the Green Line project, expected to span about three years, will form a crucial part of the integrated transport network designed to ease mobility across Lagos.
Areas Affected
The enforcement team also visited several key areas, including Chevron Gate off Orchid Road, Partibon Homes, Oral Extension Phase 2, and Park View in Ikoyi, where similar cases of encroachment were identified.
The Lagos State Government reaffirmed its resolve to continue clearing illegal structures obstructing waterways while ensuring that future developments conform to environmental regulations and urban planning standards.
