The Lagos State Government has vowed it will not back down on demolition of property built on drainage channels Right-of-Way in order to restore the state’s master plan and stop flooding.
According to the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, while conducting an on-the-spot assessment of some drainage channels in Ojo local government, the state government is determined to restore its original master plan for drainages which have been altered by people building on canals and water right-of-way.
Wahab noted that contracts have been awarded for the restoration of drainage channels so as to ease the state of flooding.
“The Governor has awarded contracts for the restoration of some critical systems on this axis around Ishashi, Oke-Odan, where we have seen people deliberately erecting on the channel.
“They have been served notices; so we have to start enforcement along with the contractor who is ready to commence work immediately,” Wahab said.
He insisted the Law would take its full course, adding that some people along the System 40 drainage Channel in Ojo Local Government Area have erected on the canal path and narrowed the primary channel, which has led to incidents of flooding in the axis.
Wahab reiterated that in spite of criticism over government’s demolition of property on canals, it would not go back on the enforcement to ensure that seven metres drainage reversal on all drainage channels were restored.
The Commissioner noted that the standard drainage right-of-way setback is 15 metres.
“This is just to let people know we are not dropping the ball and the rainfall has been veritably favorable so we have no reason than to just move to site. We will clean up the rain spouts and restore the right-of-way and also take possession of the public structure.
He noted that the ministry has engaged in a series of sensitisation and advocacy, adding that it would not stop enforcement processes where necessary.
According to him, where there is a law in place, there is always provision for enforcement.
Wahab warned developers and landlords in the state against distorting the state’s master plan such as drainage channel, be it primary or secondary.
