The Lagos State Government has suspended all land reclamation projects across the state, warning that defaulters have seven days to comply or face strict sanctions.
Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, said the ministry is worried about “the proliferation of reclamation activities on wetlands, floodplains, and lagoons statewide, especially in Parkview, Banana Island, Osborne, Ikoyi, Victoria Island Extension, Lekki, Ajah, Oworonshoki, and parts of Ikorodu.”
He noted that “many projects lacked proper Environmental Impact Assessment approvals and drainage clearance from the ministry,” adding that reclamation, though useful for housing and infrastructure, “carried risks of flooding, erosion, and ecosystem disruption.”
“Lagos’s low-lying topography and fragile ecosystem cannot withstand indiscriminate reclamation activities without grave consequences,” Wahab said.
“Consequently, the ministry is by this notice directing all reclamation projects across the state, with or without EIA approval and drainage clearance, to be suspended immediately.
“All approved Reclamation Projects across the State must be submitted for proper documentation and monitoring, while all ongoing and intending ones must be subjected to the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process with issuance of approval letter and drainage clearance from the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources.”
He warned that “non-compliance within seven days would attract strict sanctions, including site decommissioning and arrest of violators.”
The commissioner added that the ministry would “remove illegal fills, reopen blocked water channels, and prosecute anyone involved in violations. Enough is enough.”
