The Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, on Sunday issued a seven-day contravention notice to owners of buildings within the seven-meter setback on Orchid Rd, Agungi, Ajiran, Conservation Road, Osapa, all along the Ikota River.

Also read: Tokunbo Wahab orders demolition of structures encroaching on drainage setbacks in Ikoyi

Wahab made the declaration alongside the Special Adviser Environment, Mr. Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu, after an extensive inspection tour which lasted until dusk to System 156 and 157 Channel along Ikota River in Eti Osa LG.

The inspection tour aimed to ascertain the level of compliance by property owners whose buildings and fences fall within the approved seven-meter setback on both sides of the channel. They had been given the option of voluntary compliance.

Wahab charged Lagosians to respect the State Drainage Master Plan to avoid property demolition, asserting that there was no going back on the state’s decision to enforce the law and reclaim drainage setbacks following the expiration of the notices issued.

He also informed that the Nigerian Conservation Foundation had earlier written a petition complaining about several distortions, stating that there had been a lot of distortion on their roads.

The distortion affected the natural habitat of animals in the foundation as well as on Orchid Road where a lot of damage had been done to the drainage channel designed to take stormwater from the communities into the Lagoon.

He said the State had been humane in its approach to reclaim the drainage right of way, hence the review of the setback alignment from the original seven meters to six meters after a meeting with property owners to reduce the number of structures to be affected.

“We cannot keep lampooning Government for flooding when developers, builders & residents are the main cause of flooding; we shall continue to enforce because that is why laws are made. Without law and order, there cannot be development; enough of this bad behavior,” he said.

The Commissioner and his team also visited Oral Estate II along System 156 Igbo Efon where the Primary Channel was found to have been blocked by illegal structures without drainage approvals.

He also visited Agungi, Ajiran, and Osapa where notices had earlier been served, saying that final decisions will be undertaken having seen the level of encroachment as regards the setbacks of Primary Channel and Secondary Collectors in the areas.

He explained that the System 156 Ikota river channel setback was originally 46 meters while property owners and residents on the corridor have reduced the size.

He added that all those who have contravened and whose properties fell within the original meters of the channel setback on both sides have the next seven days to remove them as enforcement would commence immediately after the expiration of the notices.

Wahab also visited Chevron Drive, where he issued a stop-work order to Gravitas company, owners of Grace Ville Island & Pocket Island for sand filling part of Ikota River, thereby reducing the lagoon size from the original 250 meters designed to accommodate the free flow of water.

“The lagoon is a natural path; people have started reclamation to cover up the path and narrow it; you cannot narrow the path of water; if you do, water will naturally create another path, and this is dangerous for everyone,” he said.

@freelanews Lekki Demolitions …. Are Igbos being persecuted? Listen to Duru Bond, A Real Estate agent in Lagos (from Imo State) In this Video, Duru explains with a diagram and full details of how people build on drainage & canal channels which affects how water flows into the Lagos Lagoon, thereby cause Massive Flooding around the Ikota Area (he mentioned Orchid too). Duru also commended the Commissioner for not allowing the ‘put money together’ solution from the residents and deciding to do the right thing. Duru also says demolitions around the area affects everyone not just a particular tribe. Finally, Duru says for you to buy a house or build a structure anywhere most especially Lagos, You need a LAWYER and a SURVEYOR. #naijapolitics #trending #fyp #foryou #goviral ♬ Egopiano – Berri-Tiga & Tekno

Rtn. Victor Ojelabi

Ojelabi, the publisher of Freelanews, is an award winning and professionally trained mass communicator, who writes ruthlessly about pop culture, religion, politics and entertainment.