Lagos Govt. softens on demolition of structures encroaching canal
The Lagos State Government said that it had held talks with property owners, whose buildings encroach on canals in the Lekki-Epe Expressway.
Tokunbo Wahab, commissioner for works in the state, released the information on his official X account. Wahab said that the government took the decision to “mitigate the impact of removing illegal structures built on the canal path and alignment along system 156.”
The affected places, he said, are Orchid Estate, Ajiran, and Agungi.
As he said, he and other state officials met with the defaulting property owners to “discuss a better way of resolving the persistent flooding caused by these illegal structures.”
He added, “The property owners admitted to have encroached on the alignments, and at some point closed the canal path as indicated in the Lagos State Drainage Master Plan.”
They “pleaded for a timeframe to consult with their engineers for a possible way of opening up the canal path with minimal impact on the structures.”
The commissioner explained that “enforcement of due process on properties in Lagos State is aimed at curbing the persistent flooding in the State.”
“While enforcing compliance, the government is always open to alternative suggestions,” Wahab stated.
“The Ministry has granted the request of the property owners to present their options whilst we move in with the enforcement team upon failure of the property owners to present workable alternatives within the stipulated timeframe.”
