The Lagos State Authorities has granted an extension for house owners of buildings encroaching on the Ikota River setback in Lekki—together with Oral Property, Lekki County, Westend, and elements of Megamound Property—to vacate their properties.
The extension, introduced Thursday by Commissioner for Setting and Water Assets Tokunbo Wahab through his official X account, follows resident appeals for extra time to relocate.
It additionally comes after the expiration of contravention notices issued to property house owners.
The transfer is a part of ongoing efforts to clear encroachments, restore the river’s proper of manner, and tackle persistent flooding within the Lekki space.
“Following our inspection of the Ikota River setback areas—Oral Property, Westend, Megamounds, and Lekki County, we’ve prolonged the elimination discover for affected owners, not out of weak spot, however compassion.
“Whereas we stay dedicated to restoring the Proper of Strategy to tackle flooding and defend lives, we additionally perceive that households want time to relocate.
“Because of this we’re permitting some grace earlier than enforcement begins. Solely buildings clearly throughout the river’s path will probably be eliminated, and we’ll proceed to interact residents with empathy whereas holding non-compliant owners accountable,” Wahab’s tweet learn.
In a follow-up press assertion signed by Kunle Adeshina, Director of Public Affairs on the Ministry of Setting and Water Assets, the federal government raised issues over unlawful sandfilling and unauthorized land reclamation by builders within the affected areas.
The assertion famous that these actions have considerably narrowed the river channel and heightened the chance of flooding.
The Ministry of Setting and Water Assets harassed that builders did not receive crucial Environmental Impression Assessments (EIA) and drainage approvals, warning that such violations carry long-term environmental penalties.
