The Lagos State Government has announced the immediate demolition of illegal buildings and other structures obstructing drainage channels and canal setbacks in the Agungi, Ajiran and Ikota areas as part of efforts to curb recurring flooding.
The directive followed an inspection of key drainage infrastructure and ongoing flood control projects by the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab. According to the government, the enforcement exercise will focus on clearing blocked drainage paths and removing all developments built within designated drainage and canal right-of-way.
The inspection was prompted by repeated flooding in Agungi, despite the completion of major drainage works in the area more than two years ago. Officials discovered that a major drainage outlet at Ajiran had been obstructed, preventing stormwater from flowing into the Lagos Lagoon as originally designed.
Wahab disclosed that the blockage was traced to a land-owning family that allegedly sealed off the outlet of the primary drainage channel, severely affecting the drainage system’s ability to discharge floodwater.
He said the government has directed that the channel be reopened immediately in the interest of public safety and warned that every illegal structure blocking canals and drainage alignments in the affected communities would be removed.
The commissioner emphasized that although the state respects lawful land ownership and valid Certificates of Occupancy, such rights do not extend to blocking waterways or public drainage infrastructure, insisting that environmental safety must take precedence.
