The Lagos State Government has demolished 17 illegal buildings in Oral Estate II, Lekki, as part of efforts to restore the Right of Way along the Ikota River and mitigate growing flood risks.

Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, who led the inspection, condemned the encroachments, warning that private developers were narrowing river channels to create and sell plots, endangering surrounding communities.

“Flooding in Lagos can’t be eliminated but must be managed through responsible land use. Destroying wetlands and blocking drainage channels makes that impossible,” Wahab said.

Stop-work and seal orders were also issued at Partibons Homes Estate and Bee-Forth Estate Phase 2, where illegal reclamation activities were ongoing. Wahab noted that natural drainage systems like Channels 156 and 157, designed to direct stormwater to the Lagoon, have been compromised by unapproved developments.

The tour was conducted in coordination with the Ministry of Transportation, ahead of the Green Rail Line project. Transportation Commissioner Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi noted that auto dealers encroaching on wetlands and powerline corridors along the Lekki-Epe Expressway had been served notices, stressing the importance of preserving infrastructure corridors.

Officials also visited the Agodogba Collector Drain project at Parkview Estate, which is expected to provide major flood relief once completed.

The state government has pledged continued enforcement to restore wetlands and protect Lagos’ long-term environmental and infrastructure plans.

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Pretoria authorities have demolished two high-rise buildings owned by Nigerian property developer George Asaba, following multiple court rulings that declared the projects unlawful and unsafe.

The demolition order stemmed from a March 2025 ruling by the Gauteng High Court, which found that Asaba failed to obtain approved building plans for the complexes on Luttig Street, Pretoria West. The court described the developments as hazardous, in breach of zoning laws, and a threat to public safety.

An appeal lodged by Asaba was dismissed in April, and he was later held in contempt of court for ignoring a July 16, 2024, order to halt construction. City officials confirmed that he will bear the costs of the demolition.

Kholofelo Morodi, Tshwane’s Mayoral Committee Member for Corporate and Shared Services, hailed the judgment as a decisive win in the city’s battle against illegal developments.

“This ruling marks a turning point in our efforts to reclaim urban spaces from unlawful structures. It proves that no developer is above the law,” Morodi said.

She noted that unregulated construction, land grabs, and property hijackings have long undermined service delivery in Tshwane, adding that the city’s coalition government will continue strict enforcement to safeguard communities.

Court documents revealed Asaba admitted starting construction in June 2023 without official approval. He claimed his architect had submitted plans, but judges rejected this defense, ruling that he flouted clear directives while attempting to rely on a pending rezoning application.

City officials confirmed that further demolitions are planned across Tshwane as part of a wider campaign to remove unlawful structures.

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During an on-site inspection on Thursday, the Coordinator of the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), Chief Felix Obuah, emphasized the administration’s resolve to enforce the Abuja Master Plan without compromise.

Obuah, who also visited the Utako district, criticized ongoing unauthorized construction activities by a developer who had reportedly defied multiple stop-work notices.

“We’ve mobilized both equipment and personnel,” Obuah said. “Despite clear instructions and lack of any legal documentation, no approval, no allocation, these developments have continued. Within 48 hours, these structures will be history. We’re restoring order to Abuja, and no one is above the law.”

He reiterated that the FCTA would no longer tolerate disregard for planning regulations, especially in environmentally sensitive zones such as green belts and waterways.

Echoing Obuah’s stance, Director of the Department of Development Control, Muktar Galadima, confirmed that the buildings in question lacked any formal approvals and had been previously marked for removal at various stages of construction.

“Unfortunately, some developers continue their activities despite being invited to clarify their positions,” Galadima said. “This defiance only leaves us with one option, demolition.”

He noted that the affected properties range from structures still under construction to fully roofed buildings.

The move is part of a broader effort to curb environmental degradation and reinforce the city’s original planning vision.

The post FCTA Moves to Demolish Over 10 Illegal Buildings on Green Zones, Waterways appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

Acting through the Ministry of Waterfront Infrastructure Development, the state dismantled numerous makeshift structures and dislodged squatters, recovering firearms and dangerous weapons in the process. Several arrests were made as part of the sweep.

Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Hon. Ekundayo Alebiosu, who led the operation, confirmed the development in a statement released over the weekend.

He explained that the area had previously been cleared but quickly became a hotspot for criminal activity after the squatters returned. He said the illegal settlement had evolved into a serious security concern, used by miscreants for robbery, drug trafficking, and other unlawful acts.

Alebiosu stressed that this was not merely a case of clearing illegal buildings, but an issue of public safety. The shanties, he said, posed both environmental hazards and security risks that could no longer be ignored. He emphasized that the land is part of a planned world-class Bluewater Scheme and will feature coastal infrastructure aimed at boosting tourism and transportation in the state.

He warned that any future attempts to rebuild on the site would be swiftly dealt with, underlining the government’s commitment to maintaining order and securing waterfront areas. Ongoing surveillance and periodic enforcement will continue, he assured, to prevent any form of illegal resettlement. According to Alebiosu, this forms part of a broader effort to keep Lagos aligned with its Mega City vision safe, clean, and globally competitive.

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The initiative aims to address violations of building regulations, eliminate safety risks, and prevent unauthorized land encroachments in the upscale neighborhood.

Gbolahan Oki, General Manager of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), disclosed the plan during a stakeholders’ meeting on Thursday, emphasizing that the move aligns with the state’s commitment to enforcing urban planning laws. Structures violating regulations, such as those built under high-tension power lines or within restricted shoreline areas, will be identified and removed.

From Monday to Friday, government officials will mark affected buildings, after which property owners will have two weeks to present valid documentation. Any structure failing to meet regulatory standards will be demolished.

Oki reiterated that similar enforcement efforts had taken place in other parts of the state, including Abule Egba, Iya Niba, and Iyana Isheri, where illegal buildings were removed for violating safety guidelines.

The crackdown follows concerns about unauthorized land reclamation and sand-filling disrupting the planned development of Banana Island. Dr. Babatunde Olajide, Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on e-GIS and Planning Matters, affirmed that the Lagos State Government has full authority over land matters under the Land Use Act.

While the initial shoreline setback regulation was 150 meters, the government had previously reduced it to 100 meters as a concession. Despite this, some developers have failed to comply, prompting the latest enforcement action.

To manage complaints and ensure transparency, a special committee led by Olalekan Sodeinde, Permanent Secretary of the Office of Urban Development, has been set up. He noted that unregulated construction has led to environmental degradation, diminishing Banana Island’s reputation as a prime real estate hub.

The Chairman of the Banana Island Association, Abidemi Sonaike, welcomed the government’s efforts, stressing the importance of proper planning and safety compliance. With enforcement set to begin, property owners have been advised to regularize their building approvals or risk demolition.

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