The Lagos State government has marked 39 buildings for demolition in two upscale estates in Eti-Osa Local Government Area. Officials say these structures were built on the Right of Way (RoW) of Ikota River.
The affected buildings are in Oral Extension Estate, Westend Estate, and Megamound Estate. Twenty buildings will be fully demolished, eight will be partially removed, and 13 are marked for clearance in Westend Estate.
Authorities issued indefinite quit notices to occupants, allowing them time to relocate before demolition begins.
Commissioner Explains Action Against Encroachment
An enforcement team from the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources began demolishing parts of marked structures, starting with fences.
Commissioner Tokunbo Wahab led the operation and said, “We received several complaints about encroachment. After a detailed review, we confirmed illegal expansion into the Ikota River’s Right of Way.”
He explained that while officials tried negotiating a solution, developers continued expanding illegally. He added, “Some developers pushed the boundaries further. That worsens the environmental impact.”
He revealed that government teams used digital mapping to track these encroachments before deciding on demolition.
Officials Tackle Illegal Reclamation Projects
The commissioner described similar violations at Megamound Estate, where some developers engaged in unauthorized reclamation.
He stated, “If you’re reclaiming land, you must get drainage clearance and an environmental impact assessment. Those approvals ensure the extension does not harm the ecosystem.”
The government has halted work at the site, demanding compliance. Wahab warned, “They must stop now and provide documents. If they refuse, we will act decisively.”
On the scale of demolition, Wahab outlined, “The first stretch has about 18 buildings. After the canal, there are 13 more, but not all are full structures. In Westend Estate, about eight buildings are affected.”
He urged property buyers to verify land titles before purchasing real estate in these areas. He said, “Some owners are selling off land despite ongoing enforcement. Buyers must be cautious.”
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