Lagos warns developers against encroaching Ikota River

The Lagos State Government has raised alarm over the continued encroachment of the Ikota River and other critical waterways by property developers, warning that such actions pose a serious threat to flood management across the state.

Speaking during an inspection tour to Lekki and Eti-Osa local government areas on Friday, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, expressed concern over illegal dredging and reclamation activities, particularly at Orange Island.

“The ongoing reclamation at the Orange Island must stop because the developers doing it have sandfilled and pushed beyond the limits into the right of way of Orange Island Lagoon,” Wahab told journalists.

He stressed the importance of obtaining Drainage Clearance and Environmental Impact Assessment approvals from the ministry before any sand filling, dredging, or reclamation projects.

The Itedo system also discharges into this lagoon as well as several other water bodies.

“So, you cannot come and try to dredge and cover up this space. That is a recipe for flooding issues in this axis and environs.

Which is why we are here to stop them from doing anything here,” he added.

Wahab explained that approvals from any other agency are invalid without clearance from his ministry, stating that such developments violate established environmental protocols and threaten the ecosystem.

The inspection also extended to Oral Estate, where the Commissioner assessed ongoing contraventions along the Ikota River and emphasised the urgent need to restore its right of way.

“The truth is the Right of Way of Ikota River had been badly encroached upon by a lot of developments; God forbid anything happens on the other side of the Atlantic, the only way the government can save the whole of the Island is through the Ikota River and that is why the Right of Way of Ikota River needs to be re-established as soon as possible,” Wahab said.

He disclosed that the government had mandated the installation of sheet piles to halt further encroachment and mitigate flooding.