The Lagos State government has initiated the demolition of buildings in the Eti-Osa Local Government Area as part of its strategy to combat recurring flooding issues. This announcement came from Tokunbo Wahab, the commissioner for environment and water resources in Lagos, who shared details on his X page on Saturday.
Wahab revealed that operatives from the Drainage Enforcement and Compliance Department commenced the demolition of contravening structures within Megamond Estate and Oral Estate along the Ikota River alignment on Friday. This action followed the expiration of notices served to residents and property owners, urging them to remove their valuables ahead of the demolition.
“Following the expiration of served notices, our team has begun the removal of structures to prevent perennial flooding in the area,” Wahab stated. Officials also began marking the fenced properties as part of their readiness to start the cleanup operations.
During a recent inspection of the affected areas, including parts of Oral, Westend, and Megamond Estates in the Lekki axis, Wahab disclosed that complaints regarding flooding had reached the government from local residents. He noted that although the state had sought collaborative solutions with developers, many proceeded to sand-fill and encroach upon the Ikota River’s right of way (RoW), exacerbating the flooding issue.
“We have decided to give homeowners additional time to relocate their families and valuables, which is why we have adjusted the start date for restoration efforts,” Wahab explained. “We want to ensure that families, especially those with children, are given adequate time to move their belongings.”
The commissioner emphasized that the government has created a digital footprint to trace the historical width and alignment of the river, revealing concerning levels of encroachment. He also highlighted ongoing illegal reclamation activities in Lekki County, noting that many developers bypass necessary Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) and Drainage Clearance documents.
“The EIA process is crucial to ensure that stormwater discharge does not disrupt the surrounding ecosystem or exceed drainage limits,” Wahab said.
According to the commissioner, a total of 18 units in Oral Estate, 13 in Lekki County, and eight in Westend Estate are affected by the ongoing operations. He confirmed that only buildings located within the river’s designated alignment would be targeted for removal, reaffirming the government’s commitment to restoring the Ikota River’s natural flow and preventing further flooding in the region.