Lagos warns property owners against building on drainage channels

The Lagos ministry of environment and water resources has warned residents of the Ojota and Ogudu area against building on drainage channels.

Tokunbo Wahab, the commissioner for environment and water resources in Lagos, issued the warning on Sunday during an inspection tour to the enforcement sites of the ongoing reclamation of 140 meters right of way for system 1 drainage channel midstream at (Odo Iya Alaro) Ojota and Ogudu.

In a post via X on Monday, the commissioner said the inspection was undertaken to ascertain the level of compliance by property owners and the extent of work done.

Wahab said contravention notices had been served to property owners in the area since 2021 to encourage voluntary compliance.

The commissioner said some residents disregarded the notices and continued construction within the area.

“I led the management on an inspection tour to the enforcement sites of the ongoing reclamation of 140 meters Right of Way for System 1 Drainage Channel midstream (Odo Iya Alaro) Ojota and Ogudu to ascertain the level of compliance by property owners and the extent of work,” he wrote.

“This drainage channel which is very important to Lagos State, will address major flooding issues on the mainland and its environs.

“System 1 was established in 1974 and it is the biggest and widest Primary Channel that defloods the major parts of the mainland which cuts across Ogudu, Ojota, Ifako, Gbagada, and Maryland.

“Also, the flyover bridge coming from Odo Iyalaro will cut across these areas. The state had been having discussions with property owners/residents since year 2021 and the conversation ended in November 2023.

“Contravention notices have been served to owners of buildings lying within 140 metres of System 1 since year 2021 but we found out that people have gone back to encroaching on the right of way and alignments.

“Since 2021, we have been engaging the homeowners and residents where the government has been notifying them of impending enforcement without which we cannot abate flooding.”

Wahab said the ministry will commence major maintenance dredging at Okota and Faseun bridge system 6E, located at off Ago Palace way.

He said the dredging will improve water flow and remove waste that accumulates under the bridge, which contributes to flooding.