The Lagos state government has warned against developing the wetland bordering Magodo Phase II to prevent heavy flooding.
The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, gave the warning on Monday, November 20, during an inspection tour of some areas to assess the level of compliance with demolition exercises.
Wahab warned that developing the wetland will be disastrous and detrimental to everyone.
The Residents’ Association had petitioned the government on suspicious planned development of the wetland by the communities. But Wahab insisted that the government’s position remained that no wetland will be developed for residential or commercial purpose.
He said: “We had received many petitions with respect to the back-and-forth issues between the communities and residents. So today we came to see the state of the wetland. We had placed a signpost that this is a wetland and you can’t build on a wetland. But if people say they have a layout and approval, I am waiting for it.
“We are doing this because we don’t want a repeat of what we are experiencing at Isheri-Oshun, that will be child’s play if people go ahead to build on this wetland. And we have reassured the residents that our position on wetlands remains and we shall enforce it.”
Wahab also insisted that the buildings demolished around the Isolo/Jakande area of the state had no approvals, especially as they were on canals and totally blocked the path of water.
He said: “People built on the canal path and closed it up 100 per cent, causing flooding when it rains, and yet abuse the government. They even sued the government in court. But two weeks ago, the matter was struck out, and we moved to demolish the structures. So today we have come to check the level of compliance so the contractor can move to the site and clear the canal path for the secondary collector.
“None of these structures have approvals, and that is why we tell people to do a proper charting of their land, know where your land is situated, whether a commercial, residential or mixed area. Before building, there are requirements to meet beyond physical planning, you get a drainage clearance certificate from the environment ministry and we advise on the proper dimensions and location of drainages.”
He promised that monitoring and enforcement against environmental infractions will continue because ‘our work is on the streets, not the office, and we will continue to interface with the people to ensure the right thing is done with and for the environment’.
The commissioner was also at Ikoyi to assess the level of compliance with the 2m setback for canals, especially to distil the blocked canal which affects Dodan Barracks, resulting in flooding. He noted that efforts so far have shown some improvement, “but major work still needs to be done. So the equipment will move in this week to clean the collector approaching the lagoon.”
Wahab was accompanied on the tour by Special Adviser on Environment Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu, Permanent Secretary Omobolaji Gaji, and other ministry officials.