BREAKING: Lagos Orders Demolition of Building Blocking Drains in Agungi, Ajiran, Ikota

• The Lagos State Government has ordered the demolition of illegal structures blocking drainage channels in Agungi, Ajiran and Ikota.

The Lagos State Government has ordered the immediate demolition of illegal structures obstructing drainage channels and canal rights of way in Agungi, Ajiran and Ikota as part of efforts to tackle persistent flooding in the affected communities.

The directive was announced on Monday in a statement shared via the state government’s official Facebook page, following repeated flooding incidents across several parts of Lagos after days of heavy rainfall.

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

According to the government, investigations revealed that a major drainage outlet leading into the Lagos Lagoon had been illegally blocked, preventing stormwater from flowing freely and worsening flooding in surrounding communities.

Wahab said the government would immediately reopen blocked channels and remove all structures found to have encroached on drainage alignments and waterways.

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.

The commissioner also disclosed that officials discovered illegal reclamation activities at Megamond Estate in Ikota, where developers allegedly commenced construction without obtaining the required environmental approvals.

According to him, enforcement notices previously issued to the developers were ignored, and all illegal structures built on reclaimed drainage alignments would be demolished.

Wahab further warned developers undertaking projects on wetlands and water-related sites to obtain Environmental Impact Assessments and necessary approvals before commencing construction.

The state government reiterated its commitment to removing illegal developments that violate environmental laws and urged residents to avoid dumping waste in drainage channels, warning that such practices contribute significantly to flooding across the state.