Lagos State has demolished 17 units of flats in the ongoing restoration of the Right of Way along the Ikota River alignment in Oral Estate II, just as it stopped illegal reclamation activities aimed at narrowing and reducing the size of the Ikota River around Partibons Homes Estate/Bee-Forth Estate Phase 2, off Orchid Road in the Lekki area of the State.
The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, gave the directive during an inspection tour of the area over the weekend, describing the illegal activities as a “heart-wrenching” act of environmental sabotage.
Wahab said the Ministry recently received an SOS alert that some individuals were aggressively reclaiming parts of the Ikota River and erecting illegal structures to sell to unsuspecting members of the public.
“There is no way flash flooding can be completely stopped in a coastal city like Lagos, which is bordered by the Atlantic, lagoons, and rivers,” he said. “What can be done is to mitigate its impact through resilient infrastructure and sustainable approaches.”
The Commissioner noted that the present administration has introduced various flood mitigation measures, including continuous maintenance of drainage channels across the state by the Emergency Flood Abatement Gang (EFAG) and the construction of new secondary and primary collectors statewide.
He condemned the activities of individuals who have encroached upon and blocked natural drainage systems such as System 156 and 157, which channel stormwater into the Ikota River and onward to the lagoon.“Stormwater discharge has been designed by nature itself, but human interference has disrupted it. The government will not fold its hands and allow such actions to affect the larger population,” Wahab warned.
Wahab explained that despite earlier engagements with property owners to find a “win-win” solution, the demolition became necessary to remove contraventions along the Ikota River Right of Way, as the river remains a crucial channel supporting the Atlantic in that axis.
The Commissioner, who was accompanied by his counterpart in the Ministry of Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, also inspected environmental infractions along the Lekki–Epe Expressway in preparation for the Lagos Green Line Rail Project.
He said that on September 26, 2025, abatement notices were issued to automobile dealers along the corridor who had encroached on wetlands and high-tension powerline areas beyond the temporary approval granted to them.
“Wetlands are vital to flood management as they hold water until rainfall subsides,” Wahab noted. “Unfortunately, drone surveillance revealed that most wetlands, especially those along the Lekki–Epe Expressway Corridor, have been severely degraded.”
He directed immediate enforcement actions to reclaim the wetlands and restore the original master plan to accommodate the Green Line project.
Also speaking, Commissioner for Transportation Mr. Seun Osiyemi said the Green Line rail project, which will begin in December 2025, had undergone extensive feasibility studies and stakeholder engagement.“The Right of Way was outlined over 20 years ago. What we are addressing now is the encroachment on wetlands and activities under the power lines,” Osiyemi explained.
“The first phase of the project will run from Lekki First Tollgate to Epe, while the second phase from Marina will be on water.”
The team also inspected the Agodogba collector drain project at Parkview Estate, where a pumping station is being installed to deflood the area and its environs.
The inspection team included the Special Adviser on Environment, Engr. Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu; Permanent Secretaries, Gaji Omobolaji (Environmental Services) and Engr. Mahamood Adegbite (Drainage Services); as well as the Managing Director of LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin; GM LASPARK, Mrs. Adetoun Popoola; GM LASEPA, Dr. Tunde Ajayi; GM LASWMO, Engr. Adefemi Afolabi; and other senior officials.
Speaking on behalf of the Ministry, Mr. Adekunle Adeshina, Director, Public Affairs, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to safeguarding the environment and restoring natural waterways across Lagos to prevent flooding and protect residents from the impact of climate change.
