The Lagos State Government has begun the demolition of unauthorized structures obstructing the System 157 and Orchid Road drainage channels in Eti-Osa.
This action comes after property owners did not adhere to a previous agreement to minimize their impact on these vital canal paths.
Tokunbo Wahab, the Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, announced this development on Thursday via a post on X.
He highlighted that despite extended negotiations, the agreed-upon redesign for the canal was ignored. The ongoing demolition aims to alleviate persistent flooding by removing barriers in these essential drainage areas.
“Following months of discussions with property owners along Systems 156 and 157, the agreed redesign plan was not implemented as expected. Consequently, the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources has started demolishing unauthorized structures on the canal along the System 157 – Orchid Road – Eti-Osa drainage channels to address flooding issues,” Wahab’s post stated.
The conflict began in December 2023, centered on illegal encroachments that obstructed crucial drainage channels and exacerbated flooding.
Efforts to resolve the issue involved meetings led by Special Adviser on Environment Hon. Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu and the Permanent Secretary of the Office of Drainage Services, Engr. Shodeinde. Although property owners admitted to encroachments and requested additional time for a viable solution, they did not provide acceptable alternatives by the deadline.
The Lagos State Government has been rigorously enforcing the removal of structures encroaching on key drainage channels as part of its broader strategy to tackle severe flooding issues in the state.
A notable instance was the case of Mende Villa Estate, where, in May 2024, the government targeted structures infringing on the System 1 drainage channel’s setback in Mende Villa, Maryland.
Despite reducing the System 1 drainage channel’s right of way from 140 meters to 100 meters, with the allocation divided 60/40 between Mende and Ogudu, property developers did not comply.
This led to contravention notices being issued in 2021 and, eventually, the demolition of encroaching structures in May 2024, following extended negotiations and non-compliance.
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