The demolition of illegal structures and shanties on setbacks and drainage channels started on Wednesday, October 11, at Ikota and Gedegede communities in Lekki Phase 2 of Lagos State.
This followed the expiration of several contravention notices served on the property owners.
The commissioner for the environment and water resources, Tokunbo Wahab, said the demolition underscored the seriousness of the Sanwo-Olu administration about law and order restoration.
Wahab, who was represented by the director of drainage of enforcement and compliance, Mahmood Adegbite, said the state started serving contravention notices on the property owners in 2000 when all the structures were at foundation levels.
He said: “They however proved recalcitrant and rebuffed all measures suggested by the government to prevent flooding, sandfilled the setback of the channel preparatory to constructing more structures.
“We cannot write the story of Lagos without the unfortunate incident of flash flooding. We all know that flooding is caused by natural forces, as well as anthropogenic factors, one of which is building on flood plains and the Right of Way of drainages.
“One of the major buildings demolished today was at the foundation level in the year 2000 when the owner was told that the building was constructed within the drainage right of way.
“The approved right of way is 15 metres but due to the area’s high density, it was reduced to 10 metres. However, property owners here built on the right of way and still obstructed the water carriageway from 15 meters to 3 metres.
“The drainage channel in question is about four kilometres, and so after this demolition, the maintenance crew would dredge and widen the canal’s width.”
Wahab advised aspiring property owners to cooperate with the government and seek information before embarking on any building project to avert issues like this.
He added: “Few people cannot be allowed to cause hardship to the majority. We also received petitions about these unwholesome activities that bother on impunity and we had to act decisively. This should serve as a warning to others who have done similar things at other locations; they should know their actions have consequences at the end of the day.”