IBRAHIM QUADRI
To restore Drainage Right of Ways (ROW, the Lagos State Government declared that as part of its commitment to ensure a flood free Lagos, not less that 1,141 contraventions were removed in the last one year.
The disclosure was made by the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab during the 2025 Ministerial Press Briefings organised as part of activities to mark the second year anniversary of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu held at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, Secretariat.
He added that the restoration of ROW and protection carried out included that of System 40 & 40a at Alaba International Market Channel and Franklas Channel which is 3.5km; System 34B Aiyetoro/Iteku/ Ishasi Drainage Channel, Ojo LGA which is 3.0km and System 131 Odo Iraye Channel, Epe LGA which is 2.5 km amongst others.
He added that from year 2023 till date, a total number of 12 primary channels with a total length of 32.5km were restored to their original state while another 84 secondary channels totalling 96km was restored in 2024. Another four primary channels have been proposed for restoration in Year 2025.
Wahab stated that in order to eliminate the problem of tidal effect, the state Government has constructed a State of the art pumping station which is recorded as the first of its kind in Africa at Ilubirin, Lagos Island.
He explained that the pumping station is designed to pump discharged storm from Lagos Island into the lagoon via an elevated channel after the completion of the ongoing Lagos Island Drainage regeneration project.
The Commissioner said construction work is ongoing to deflood the entire Lagos Island with areas like Oroyinyin, Idumagbo, Binuyo, Aroloya, Epe, Ojo-giwa amongst others to benefit.
“During the year under review, we issued 1674 abatement notices and carried out 4,955 Monitoring of various environmental health infractions, while 171 premises were sealed in the process for not abating the nuisance after being served.”
“The infractions are Stacking of building materials on roads and drainage channels thereby blocking free flow of storm water, indiscriminate mixing of building materials on the roads, non-provision of toilet facilities in tenement leading to open urination and defecation as well as indiscriminate waste disposal”, Wahab stated.
The commissioner added that Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) also undertook compliance enforcement actions against non environmentally compliant facilities with a total of 872 Complaints received, with 610 of them noise related complaint, 129 of the cases were abated while 320 cases were treated with appreciation letters coming from the complainants and 26 of the reported cases are still under investigation.
He added that LASEPA also monitored 140 hospitality facilities which includes supermarkets, nightclubs and bake houses with a view to ensuring compliance with the state 2017 environmental laws on safety and cleanliness.
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