The Lagos State Government has demolished no fewer than 17 buildings for encroaching on the Right of Way (RoW) of the Ikota River alignment.
The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, led a monitoring team, accompanied by journalists, to the demolition site on Saturday.
Wahab urged residents to desist from actions that harm the environment, warning that nature often retaliates against human negligence and illegal reclamation. He revealed that the ministry had earlier received complaints about attempts to reclaim parts of the river unlawfully.
“We stopped the illegal activities months ago, but we were recently informed that the encroachment had resumed aggressively, with perpetrators trying to sell the land to unsuspecting buyers,” Wahab said.
He noted that the ministry had now taken decisive action to halt the encroachment and clear all illegal structures in the affected area. Those involved, he added, would be identified and prosecuted according to the law.
Speaking on the issue of flooding, Wahab explained that while it is impossible to completely eliminate flooding in a coastal state like Lagos — surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, lagoons, and rivers — the government is focused on mitigating its impact through resilient infrastructure.
“Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has continued to provide and maintain infrastructure to manage flooding, but some individuals still block natural waterways for personal benefit,” the commissioner said.
He cited property No. 156 as an example, stating that it obstructed the coastal road alignment and blocked the natural flow of water.
Wahab further explained that demolition is not always the government’s first option. In some cases, developers are asked to design proper stormwater discharge systems at their own expense.
“It is irresponsible for the government to spend taxpayers’ money fixing environmental problems created by private individuals who ignore regulations for profit,” he added.
During an inspection tour along the Lekki-Epe corridor, Wahab lamented the massive encroachment on wetlands that serve as natural water retention areas during rainfall. Drone surveillance, he said, revealed widespread damage to the wetlands, where coconut trees once planted had been destroyed.
He noted that violators were issued notices on September 26, ahead of planned transport infrastructure development along the route. The inspection, he explained, aimed to align environmental preservation efforts with the Ministry of Transport’s upcoming Green Line Rail Project.
The Commissioner for Transport, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, announced that the Green Line project, which will run from Marina to Epe, is expected to begin in December after stakeholder consultations and feasibility studies.
Osiyemi also disclosed that some car dealers who were granted temporary approval to use power line spaces had violated the agreement by erecting permanent structures on wetlands.
“As a state, we must ensure compliance and protect the environment, even as we pursue transportation development,” he said, adding that the rail project would take about three years to complete and would operate as part of an integrated transport system.
Other areas inspected during the monitoring exercise included Chevron Gate off Orchid Road, Partibon Homes, Oral Extension Phase 2, and Park View in Ikoyi.
