By Sulaimon Popoola
The Lagos State Government has commenced the demolition of buildings and fences along the Ikota River alignment in Lekki, Eti-Osa Local Government Area.
In a statement shared on his official X page, Tokunbo Wahab, Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, confirmed that officials from the Drainage Enforcement and Compliance Department carried out the exercise on Friday.
Wahab explained that the operation is part of the government’s ongoing efforts to mitigate persistent flooding in Lagos, particularly in flood-prone areas such as Lekki Phase 1 and surrounding communities.
He wrote:
“Operatives from the Drainage Enforcement and Compliance Department of the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources on Friday commenced the removal of contravening structures blocking the free flow of stormwater along Ikota River alignment, Lekki, Eti-Osa, to prevent perennial flooding in the area.”
The commissioner also shared a video showing officials demolishing fences and sections of buildings, accompanied by the hashtag #ZeroToleranceLagos.
The demolition has since drawn mixed reactions from residents and social media users.
On Facebook, a user identified as Dearest Collins commented:
“Seems you people like to go to sleep when buildings are being erected, only to wake up for demolition.”
Similarly, on X, another user, Joejonahni, criticized the government’s approach:
“Is the building blocking drainage? The response to flooding in Lagos State has always been massive demolition upon demolition without proper drainage or desilting of the existing ones. What a shame.”
The move follows recent reports of recurring flooding in Lekki Phase 1, which residents largely blamed on poor drainage management and blocked waterways.
Just days earlier, the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources had also issued a seven-day ultimatum for the removal of all reclamation projects across Lagos State, regardless of whether they had Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) approval or drainage clearance.