Tuesday, April 16, 2024 – The Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, on Monday, April 15, began the removal of all contravening structures under the system 1 drainage channel midstream (Odo Iya Alaro) Ojota and Ogudu.
The removal exercise came after the
expiration of several served contravention notices on the property owners.
Operatives of the Drainage Enforcement and
Compliance (DEC) carried out the demolition with security back up from the Task
Force on Special Offences and other agencies.
The ministry had also explored consultative
stakeholders meetings that involved members of the legislative Assembly, one of
which was held on December 21, 2023, to find possible solutions.
At one of such meetings convened by the
ministry, its Commissioner, Tokunbo Wahab, with House of Assembly member
representing Kosofe 1, Hon Sanni Okanlawon, in attendance, none of the property
owners could provide evidence of titles to the structures built on the drainage
right of way
While speaking at that meeting, Wahab
reiterated that in the absence of valid titles, all the structures on System 1
Right of Way would have to go.
Wahab added that the State government also
discovered that while contravention notices had been served, some of the
property owners continued with the construction in an open display of impunity.
He stated that it is advisable for those who voluntarily remove the
contravening structures and fences to do so before the state government
officials moved in with their equipment.
He explained that the enforcement exercise would address the issue of perennial flooding which has led to avoidable damages to properties and caused fatalities in some instances.
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