Lagos govt to demolish illegal structures blocking drainage channels in Agungi, Ajiran

The Lagos State Government has announced plans to remove all illegal structures obstructing drainage channels and canal right-of-way in Agungi, Ajiran and Ikota as part of efforts to tackle persistent flooding in the affected communities.

Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed this on Monday after inspecting critical drainage infrastructure and flood mitigation projects in Lekki, Agungi, Ikota and Ajiran.

Wahab said the inspection uncovered a major obstruction at Ajiran, where a land-owning family allegedly blocked the outfall of a primary drainage channel leading into the Lagos Lagoon, preventing stormwater from flowing freely out of the community.

“We discovered that the outlet into the lagoon had been deliberately blocked. Without opening that channel, the water cannot leave the area. We have therefore directed that it be reopened immediately in the overriding public interest,” the commissioner said.

He stressed that while the government respects legitimate land ownership and Certificates of Occupancy, no individual or family has the right to obstruct natural waterways or public drainage infrastructure, warning that blocked drainage channels expose communities to severe flooding despite significant public investment.

During the inspection, Wahab also visited Megamond Estate in Ikota, where he said developers had illegally reclaimed part of the Ikota River and commenced construction without the required environmental and drainage approvals despite earlier enforcement and abatement notices.

He said all illegal structures built on reclaimed drainage alignments in the estate would be removed, adding that developers must obtain Environmental Impact Assessments and, where necessary, Wetland Clearance before embarking on reclamation or construction projects.

Wahab urged residents to report environmental infractions, noting that the illegal activities uncovered during the inspection were brought to the government’s attention by whistleblowers.