The Lagos State Government has issued a stern seven-day contravention notice to property owners along Orchid Road, Agungi, Ajiran, Conservation Road, Osapa, near the Ikota River. The notice specifically targets buildings within the seven-meter setback along these areas.
The announcement was made by the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, and the Special Adviser, Environment, Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu, following an extensive inspection tour of System 156 and 157 Channel along the Ikota River.
Speaking on the importance of adhering to the state’s Drainage Master Plan, the officials urged Lagosians to avoid property demolition by respecting the setback regulations. Wahab emphasized the state’s commitment to enforcing the law and reclaiming drainage setbacks, reiterating that there would be no reconsideration after the expiration of the issued notices.
The inspection aimed to assess the level of compliance among property owners whose buildings and fences encroach on the approved seven-meter setback on both sides of the channel. These property owners were initially given the option of voluntary compliance.
Wahab revealed that the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) had submitted a petition expressing concerns about distortions caused by various developments.
Addressing this, he stated, “We cannot keep lampooning the government for flooding when developers, builders, and residents themselves are the main cause of flooding; we shall continue to enforce because that is why laws are made. Without law and order, there cannot be development; this level of bad behavior must stop.”
During the inspection, the commissioner and his team also visited Oral Estate II along System 156, Igbo Efon. He discovered that the Primary Channel had been completely blocked by illegal structures without proper drainage approvals.
