Efforts to Clear Flood-Blocking Buildings in Lagos Intensify
The Lagos State Government has intensified its efforts to clear illegal structures built on drainage systems and waterways, which have been causing severe flooding in several areas, including Lekki and Ikota.
Led by the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, the government has been carrying out demolition exercises targeting buildings constructed along canals and drainage setbacks.
This move is part of a larger effort to ensure flood prevention and environmental safety across the state.
Many of the affected homeowners, particularly in the Ikota and Lekki areas, expressed grief, claiming that they had obtained government approvals and invested millions in the properties.
However, Wahab reiterated that these constructions were illegal and were obstructing natural water flow, exacerbating flooding risks.
Videos of the demolitions have circulated on social media, showing emotional scenes as valuable properties were razed. Despite the outcry, the government remains firm in its stance, having issued notices to the occupants as early as 2020 before enforcement began recently.
This demolition is part of a broader initiative to reclaim drainage paths and ensure that waterways are free from obstruction to prevent recurrent flooding issues in Lagos.