Lagos Government Takes Action Against Construction Hindering Drainage

An ongoing construction in Lagos was halted by the state’s Ministry of Environment and Water Resources for obstructing the drainage system with construction materials.

The order was given by Commissioner Mr. Tokunbo Wahab during his inspection of various projects in Lagos Island and surrounding areas.

Expressing his concerns about the situation, Wahab noted that the stacked materials were causing blockages in the drainage system, leading to the closure of the site.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the troubled building is located at No. 109, Alakoro Street in Lagos Island.

“They are placing their materials inappropriately on the road and drainage areas,” Wahab remarked.

“Our drainage system is being obstructed by these materials, which is unacceptable.

“Such actions cause blockages, which is why we mandated them to remove the materials and clean up the system before we can consider lifting the seal on the building,” he explained.

Wahab elaborated that the goal of his visit was to assess the regeneration efforts in the area.

“This is an essential section of Lagos Island; this marks our second or third inspection here,” he noted.

“Thanks to efforts from Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the state is undertaking a regeneration project for the drainage and road infrastructure across Lagos Island.”

“However, we discovered some crucial areas and collectors, vital for combating flooding, were not included in that plan.”

During the inspection, they focused on the Olusi Bombata and Alagbafo collectors and were dismayed by what they found.

He expressed disappointment that structures had been erected over these critical areas, complicating future maintenance of essential infrastructure.

“It’s troubling to see these buildings obstructing vital infrastructure that we need to maintain,” he added.

“There has been significant disregard for these structures; thus, we have instructed relevant authorities to issue compliance notices.”

“We will return this weekend to evaluate compliance levels. We will not permit anyone to turn this state into a place where living conditions deteriorate.”

Wahab highlighted the importance of preserving public infrastructures, assuring that necessary actions would be taken to ensure their functionality.

“We will clear the obstructions and continue with essential maintenance and consider re-awarding contracts,” he stated.

When questioned about collaboration with local governments for environmental cleanup, Wahab confirmed substantial cooperation.

“In Lagos, we coordinate effectively with our local governments; although some issues remain to be resolved, our markets are primarily managed by local authorities.”

“This shouldn’t exempt them from adhering to environmental laws requiring specific setbacks between construction and drainage systems.”

“We are strictly implementing these regulations here without conflict with local authorities; our relationship is generally positive,” he assured.

Wahab affirmed that the state would persist in promoting and enforcing environmental laws to maintain cleanliness.

“Ongoing advocacy and strict enforcement are vital, as many believe the government waits until after violations occur,” he explained.

“Though justice systems may be slow, they ultimately result in action. We continue urging compliance to avoid unnecessary violations, as we always prioritize advocacy.”

He noted that efforts to promote awareness would be ongoing, similar to campaigns against styrofoam and single-use plastics, which are set to phase out this year.

“Collective responsibility is needed to safeguard our state, and citizens must actively engage in these initiatives,” he concluded.

NAN reports that the inspection covered areas such as Salvage Lane, Elagbata, Ebute Ero, Alakoro, and Oke Arin, among others. (NAN)