The Lagos State Government has issued a 48-hour ultimatum for traders operating beneath Apongbon Bridge and along drainage setbacks on Lagos Island to vacate the premises.
This is in a decisive step toward urban regeneration and environmental protection,
The directive, delivered by the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, followed an inspection tour of the Savage/Elegbata Bombata drainage channel in the Olowogbowo and Apongbon areas of Lagos Island on Thursday.
Wahab expressed concern over the state of the drainage infrastructure, which he said had been compromised by unauthorized structures and trading activities. “What we saw is not something that we are happy about,” Wahab remarked to reporters.
“People have fully built on setbacks and drainage channels. When you build structures on these infrastructures, how do you expect them to be maintained?”
The inspection revealed not just illegal structures but also a makeshift livestock market under the bridge, where traders had converted the area into a ranch.
The commissioner ordered the immediate relocation of these traders to designated markets, emphasizing the need for compliance to preserve the city’s infrastructure and prevent further environmental degradation.
“Abuse of these infrastructures has become rampant,” Wahab stated. “I have instructed that the shop and stall owners be served abatement notices. If compliance is not achieved within 48 hours, enforcement will commence.”
Two buildings were also sealed during the tour after it was discovered that their owners had stacked building materials directly on the drainage system, blocking the flow of water and exacerbating the risk of flooding.
Wahab noted that these offenders would not only face sanctions but would also be required to remove the materials and clean the drainage system before the buildings could be unsealed.
The commissioner’s frustration was palpable as he addressed the media. “We are going to clear these infractions and keep the maintenance work going while ensuring that the contract is revisited to accommodate the two collectors in this area,” he said, referring to the drainage collectors that have been obstructed by illegal activities.
Wahab also touched on the broader issue of infrastructure vandalism, particularly the theft of manhole covers, which has become a recurring challenge in Lagos.
n response to a resolution by the Lagos State House of Assembly, he revealed that his ministry was collaborating with the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure to address the issue comprehensively.
“Stealing manhole covers is not just a threat to public safety; it undermines our efforts to build a sustainable urban environment,” Wahab said.
The Lagos State Government’s ultimatum sends a strong message to those flouting urban planning and environmental laws. With enforcement measures looming, Wahab reiterated the administration’s commitment to restoring order and protecting the city’s infrastructure.
“We cannot continue to turn a blind eye to these abuses. This is about creating a city that works for everyone, and that starts with respecting the infrastructure that supports our daily lives,” he said.