Lagos Government to Demolish 39 Buildings Over Ikota Drainage Channel Encroachment

The Lagos State Government has taken action against property developers who have encroached on the Right of Way (RoW) of the Ikota Riverbank in the Eti-Osa Local Government Area.

A total of 39 buildings across two upscale estates, Oral Extension Estate and Westend, Mega Mond Estate, have been marked for demolition.

The government has issued indefinite quit notices to occupants of the affected properties, urging them to vacate and relocate their belongings before the demolition exercise begins.

Of the 39 marked buildings, 20 are slated for total demolition, eight for partial removal, and 13 buildings at Westend Estate will be completely brought down.

On Thursday, the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources enforcement team, led by Commissioner Tokunbo Wahab, began dismantling fences of some marked properties in the estates.

Wahab explained that the government’s action was prompted by multiple petitions about encroachments along the Ikota River, which have caused severe environmental impact.

According to Wahab, digital assessments were conducted to trace the encroachment, revealing significant violations of the river’s RoW.

The government had previously visited Oral Estate and found that the current situation is far worse than what was observed last year, with some developers continuing construction while engaging the government in talks for a resolution.

Wahab emphasized the need for proper drainage clearance and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) documents for any reclamation projects, warning that further violations would not be tolerated.

He also expressed concerns about developers selling properties and assigning titles to unsuspecting buyers, putting innocent families at risk of displacement.

The government is seeking a “win-win situation” that balances the need to enforce the law with the plight of innocent families with children in school.

However, Wahab made it clear that the government will not hesitate to take decisive action against those who fail to comply with regulations.

The quit notices issued to affected residents are not timed, but Wahab urged them to find alternative accommodations and move their belongings as soon as possible to avoid any potential disruptions.

The demolition exercise is expected to begin soon, and the government has warned that it will wield the “big stick” against any further violations.