Lagos to begin removal of illegal structures at Apongbon market, Island environs on Tuesday
Lagos to begin removal of illegal structures at Apongbon market, Island environs on Tuesday
The Lagos State Government has announced plans to remove illegal structures and extensions obstructing drainage channels and public infrastructure in the Oke-Arin, Apongbon Market, and surrounding areas on Lagos Island.
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Tokunbo Wahab, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, made this known during an inspection tour on Sunday. He also disclosed that four buildings under construction at Alakoro, Ereko Market area had been sealed for blocking traffic and violating the state’s environmental laws.
According to Wahab, the enforcement drive is part of the government’s efforts to address illegal developments and ensure compliance with physical planning regulations.
“What we came to do this morning is to assess the level of compliance with the notices we issued last Thursday,” Wahab said. “We served all the required notices, and by Tuesday, we will begin full removal of extensions impeding public infrastructure in the Oke-Arin and Apongbon Market areas.”
He criticized the indiscriminate activities in the area, adding:
“People are taking the law into their own hands, placing building materials on drainage channels and mixers and cement on roads, which eventually leads to road damage. In a few weeks, these roads will deteriorate, and people will start blaming the government.”
The Commissioner emphasized that enforcement will begin in earnest on Tuesday, explaining:
This year, we are using both advocacy and enforcement—an approach we call the ‘carrot and stick.’ We appeal to people to comply voluntarily, but for those who remain defiant, we will take necessary action to enforce the law.”
The announcement follows a 24-hour removal notice issued last Thursday to traders and owners of illegal structures blocking drainage channels in the area.
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Wahab explained that drainage systems critical to de-flooding Lagos Island had been obstructed by shanties and illegal activities:
“The administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Deputy Governor Dr. Obafemi Hamzat has committed to regenerating Lagos Island’s drainage and road infrastructure. However, we noticed that some critical drainage systems, such as the Olusi Bombata Collector and Alagbafo, were not captured in the plan.
“Shanties and structures erected along these channels have blocked collectors meant to carry stormwater, leading to severe flooding during the rainy season. This cannot continue. We will clear these structures immediately and find a way to include the necessary drainage work in our infrastructure plans.”
The inspection team included Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment, Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu; Permanent Secretary of the Office of Drainage Services, Engr. Mahamood Adegbite; General Manager of LASWAMO, Engr. Femi Afolabi; and other senior officials.
