The Lagos State Government has demolished 17 houses built on the right-of-way of the Ikota River in Lekki, warning residents against unlawful reclamation of wetlands and obstruction of natural waterways.
Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, who led an enforcement team to the site on Saturday, said the exercise followed repeated reports of illegal developments along the river alignment. He explained that the state had earlier halted the activity, but the encroachment resumed aggressively, with attempts to sell land to unsuspecting buyers.
Wahab said the government had now taken decisive steps to clear all illegal structures and prosecute offenders, stressing that such violations worsen flooding across the state. He noted that while flooding cannot be completely prevented in a coastal city like Lagos, the government continues to invest in infrastructure to mitigate its impact through resilient drainage systems, which Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has consistently maintained.
The commissioner cited property number 156, which blocked a major drainage path, adding that it would be cleared to restore the free flow of water into the Lagos Lagoon. He added that despite the government’s daily efforts to desilt and maintain drains, some individuals persist in obstructing waterways for personal gain.
Wahab said demolition was not always the first option, as developers were sometimes asked to provide practical designs for stormwater discharge at their own cost. He described it as irresponsible for the government to spend public funds correcting problems created by private developers who profit from violating environmental regulations.
During an inspection of the Lekki–Epe corridor, Wahab lamented the massive encroachment on wetlands originally designed to absorb excess rainwater. He said drone surveillance revealed extensive damage, including the destruction of coconut trees planted to stabilise the soil.
According to him, violators were issued demolition notices on September 26 ahead of planned transport infrastructure works in the area. He explained that the inspection was intended to align environmental preservation with the Ministry of Transport’s Green Line Rail project.
Commissioner for Transport, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, said the Green Line Rail, which will run from Marina to Epe, is expected to commence in December after stakeholder consultations and feasibility studies. He noted that some car dealers who were granted temporary approval to use power-line spaces had violated terms by erecting permanent structures on wetlands. Osiyemi added that the three-year rail project forms part of Lagos State’s integrated transport solution aimed at easing mobility across the metropolis.
Other areas visited during the inspection included Chevron Gate off Orchid Road, Partibon Homes, Oral Extension Phase 2, and Park View in Ikoyi.
