Unauthorized Lekki Buildings.
The Lagos State Government has served a seven-day contravention notice to owners of buildings located along Orchid Road, Agungi, Ajiran, Conservation Road, Osapa, situated along the Ikota River.
This declaration was communicated through a statement on Monday, posted on the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources in Lagos State’s director of public affairs, Kunle Adesina’s X platform (formerly Twitter) handle.
Adesina conveyed that Commissioner Tokunbo Wahab and Special Adviser on the Environment Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu issued the announcement following an extensive inspection tour of the Ikota River corridor.
The inspection aimed to evaluate the degree of compliance among property owners concerning the sanctioned seven-meter setback on both sides of the channel for buildings and fences.
Wahab urged residents of Lagos to adhere to the state’s drainage master plan to prevent the demolition of properties. He emphasized that the state was committed to enforcing the law and reclaiming drainage setbacks, and there would be no reconsideration of this decision after the expiration of the issued notices.
The commissioner mentioned that the Nigerian Conservation Foundation had previously submitted a petition, expressing concerns about numerous disruptions. The petition highlighted significant distortions on their roads.
He emphasized that these disruptions adversely affected the natural habitat of animals within the foundation and Orchid Road. The drainage channel on Orchid Road, designed to transport stormwater from the communities to the Lagoon, suffered extensive damage.
He pointed out that Lagos State had taken a compassionate approach to reclaiming the drainage right of way. This was evident in the reduction of the setback alignment from seven to six meters after discussions with property owners to minimize the impact on the number of structures affected.
According to the statement, “After the inspection tour of System 156 and 157 Channel yesterday, we have issued a seven-day contravention notice to owners of buildings lying within the seven metres drainage setback on Orchid Rd, Agungi, Ajiran, Conservation Road, Osapa, Oral Estate II, all along the Ikota River.
“We cannot keep lampooning the 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 behaviour! We also visited Chevron Drive, where a stop work order was issued to Gravitas company, owners of Grace Ville Island & Pocket Island.
“We urge Lagosians to respect the State Drainage Master Plan to avoid property demolition as there is no going back on the decision of the state to enforce the law and reclaim Drainage setbacks following the expiration of the notices issued.”