The Lagos State Government has commenced the removal of illegal structures in Eti Osa in an effort to deflood the area.
The Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab disclosed this on Thursday in a statement on his X account.
“After several months of stakeholders engagements with property owners built on Systems 156 and 157 drainage path, the agreements to implement the agreed redesigned plan which were not honored/neglected by the community, the Lagos State Ministry for the Environment and Water Resources has commenced the removal of illegal structures built on the canal along the System 157 – Orchid Road – Eti Osa drainage channels to deflood the area,” Wahab said.
In a bid to mitigate the impact of removing illegal structures built on the canal path and alignment along system 156 (Orchid Estate – Ajiran – Agungi), the SA on Environment, Hon. Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu, the PS ODS, Engr. Shodeinde, Wahab and other directors in December 2023 met with the property owners and other stakeholders to discuss a better way of resolving the persistent flooding caused by these illegal structures.
Wahab had said then that the property owners admitted to have encroached on the alignments and at some point closed the canal path as indicated in the Lagos State Drainage Master Plan.
He said they, however, pleaded for a timeframe to consult with their engineers for a possible way of opening up the canal path with minimal impact on the structures.
Wahab had also said that the ongoing enforcement of due process on properties in Lagos is aimed at curbing the persistent flooding in the state.
The commissioner, however, pointed out that while enforcing compliance, the government is always open to alternative suggestions.
He said the ministry had granted the request of the property owners to present their options whilst the authorities move in with the enforcement team upon failure of the property owners to present workable alternatives within the stipulated timeframe.
On March 3, 2024, Wahab said in a statement on his X account: “I alongside the SA to the Governor on Environment, Hon. Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu, the PS ODS Engr. Mahmood Adegbite, PS OES, Dr Tahjudeen Gaji and other Directors earlier today visited System 44 (Ikota) to monitor the level of enforcement done in the axis.
“We also visited System 156 (Orchid Estate – Ajiran – Agungi – Ikota) drainage channel to assess the level of flooding in the environment due to the recent rain.
“I have also directed the immediate removal of properties built on the drainage channel and the clearing of the canal path after several months of stakeholders’ engagement with the property owners who have failed to comply with the agreed plan of finding an alternative for the free flow rainwater in the area.
“The Ministry of the Environment and Water, in line with Governor @jidesanwoolu THEMES+ Developmental Agenda is reiterating our resolve for zero tolerance to environmental nuisance across the state and find a lasting solution to flooding in order to ensure a safer, cleaner and healthier environment.”
