The Lagos State Government has marked 39 buildings for demolition in Oral Extension Estate and Westend, Mega Mond Estate in Eti-Osa LGA for encroaching on the Right of Way of Ikota Riverbank, issuing indefinite quit notices to occupants

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Lagos State Government has identified 39 buildings in two upscale estates within the Eti-Osa Local Government Area for demolition due to significant encroachment on the Right of Way (RoW) of the Ikota Riverbank.

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The affected estates, Oral Extension Estate and Westend, Mega Mond Estate, are located in the Maroko Okun Alfa ward of the Lekki axis.

The government has issued indefinite quit notices to the occupants of these properties, urging them to vacate and remove their belongings before the commencement of the demolition exercise.

Of the marked buildings, 20 in Oral Extension Estate are slated for complete demolition, eight for partial removal, and all 13 buildings in Westend Estate are to be entirely brought down.

On Thursday, enforcement teams from the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, led by Commissioner Tokunbo Wahab, began the process of dismantling fences of some of the identified properties within the estates.

Addressing the press during the operation, Commissioner Wahab explained that the government’s decisive action was triggered by numerous petitions detailing encroachments along the Ikota River.

“We received several complaints. We have been on this for a while and found out at the ministry level that while we were engaging to find a win-win solution that would mitigate environmental impact without heavily affecting the residents, some developers continued pushing back the RoW and altering the alignment of the Ikota River,” Wahab stated.

“We received several complaints. We have been on this for a while and found out at the ministry level that while we were engaging to find a win-win solution that would mitigate environmental impact without heavily affecting the residents, some developers continued pushing back the RoW and altering the alignment of the Ikota River,” said Commissioner Tokunbo Wahab.

He further noted that thorough digital assessments were conducted to accurately trace the extent of the encroachment, revealing severe violations of the legally designated Right of Way of the river.

“What we found on the ground was not good at all. We decided to allow residents to move their belongings, considering they are family people with children in school,” he added, indicating a degree of consideration for the affected occupants.

Commissioner Wahab disclosed that the government had previously visited Oral Estate, and the current level of encroachment is significantly worse than what was observed last year.

He accused some developers of continuing construction activities even while engaging in discussions with the government in an apparent attempt to find a resolution.

“We called in the machines, dismantled walls, and pushed back from further encroachment. We also visited Westend and Mega Mount, where we saw reclamation activities beyond the approved limits,” Wahab explained, highlighting the extent of the unauthorized development.

He emphasized the critical importance of proper drainage clearance and the necessity of obtaining Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) documents for any reclamation projects, warning that any further violations would not be tolerated by the government.

“We have asked them to stop, push back the sand, and submit the necessary documents. If they don’t comply, we will wield the big stick,” Wahab asserted.

Regarding the number of affected buildings, Commissioner Wahab clarified that 18 buildings are situated along the initial stretch of the encroached area, with an additional 13 located after the canal. In Westend Estate, eight buildings have been marked for demolition.

Wahab also raised concerns about developers who sell properties and assign titles to unsuspecting buyers, pointing out the unfortunate situation where innocent families now face the risk of displacement due to these illegal constructions.

“We want a win-win situation. We are not insensitive to the plight of innocent families with children in school, but we must also enforce the law,” he concluded, underscoring the delicate balance the government is trying to strike.

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He clarified that the issued quit notices do not have a specific time limit but strongly urged affected residents to promptly find alternative accommodations and move their belongings as quickly as possible to mitigate potential losses and disruptions.