Government moves to protect waterways ahead of Green Rail Line project
The Lagos State Government has sealed several illegal reclamation sites and halted ongoing land-filling activities along the Ikota River corridor in Lekki, as part of its efforts to preserve natural waterways and prepare for the upcoming Green Rail Line project.
In a statement released on Monday, the state said the operation followed an inspection led by the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, who described the activities as “heart-wrenching” and warned against the deliberate destruction of the ecosystem.
Wahab revealed that the ministry received distress alerts about individuals reclaiming parts of the Ikota River and erecting illegal structures for sale. “There’s no way flash flooding can be completely stopped in a coastal state like Lagos,” he said.
“What we can do is mitigate it through resilient infrastructure and sustainable approaches.”
Flood Risk and Environmental Violations
According to Wahab, the illegal activities have blocked major stormwater channels, systems 156 and 157, which discharge into the Ikota River and eventually the lagoon. This obstruction, he said, worsens flooding and puts surrounding communities at risk.
The Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, joined the enforcement team during a joint inspection along the Lekki–Epe Expressway, where 17 illegal structures had already been demolished at Oral Estate II. Wahab added that abatement notices had been issued earlier to automobile dealers encroaching on wetlands and high-tension corridors.
Lagos Begins Demolition of Illegal Buildings at Trade Fair Complex
He reiterated that temporary site approvals given to the dealers did not permit permanent construction and warned that further violations would attract sanctions. “The state will not fold its arms while the actions of a few endanger millions,” he said.
The exercise, Wahab added, aligns with the state’s long-term flood mitigation and urban planning strategy, especially as preparations intensify for the $3 billion Marina–Lekki Green Rail Line project.
Osiyemi disclosed that the rail line will run from Marina to Epe, beginning with the first phase between Lekki First Tollgate and Epe. The project is scheduled to commence in December and will be completed in phases over the next two to three years.
Discover more from RainSMediaRadio
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
