The Lagos State government on Wednesday kick-started the demolition of illegal structures and shanties on setbacks and drainage channels at Ikota and Gedegede communities in Lekki Phase 2 of Lagos State.
The action according to the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources follows the expiration of contravention notices served on the property owners.
Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, represented by the Director of Drainage Enforcement and Compliance, Mahmood Adegbite said the state started serving contravention notices on the property owners since 2000 when the structures were at the foundation level.
He said “They were, however, recalcitrant and rebuffed all measures suggested by the government to prevent flooding. They sand-filled the setback of the channel, preparatory to building more structures.
He added: “We cannot write the story of Lagos without the unfortunate incidence of flash flooding. We all know that flooding caused by natural forces, as well anthropogenic factors, one of which is building on flood plains and right of way of drainages.
“One of the major buildings demolished today was at the foundation level in 2000 when the owner was told that the building was constructed within the drainage right of way.
“The approved right of way is 15 metres, but due to the area’s high density, it was reduced to 10 metres. But property owners here built on the right of way, and still obstructed the water carriage way from 15 metres to three metres.
“The drainage channel in question is about four kilometres. So, after this demolition, the maintenance crew will dredge and widen the canal’s width.”
Wahab advised aspiring and property owners to cooperate with the government and seek information before embarking on any building project, “to avert issues like this.”
“Few people cannot be allowed to cause hardship for the majority. We also received petitions about these unwholesome activities that bother on impunity and we had to act decisively. This should serve as a warning to others who have done similar things at other locations. They should know their actions have consequences at the end of the day,” he said.