The Lagos State Government has announced a 24-hour removal notice to traders and owners of illegal structures blocking drainage channels along Ereko, Arin, Idumota Markets, and Lagos Island.

On Thursday, January 23, 2025, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, delivered the notice while touring Lagos Island.

He demanded that properties under construction in the Ereko Market area be sealed off for dumping a heap of granite on the road, obstructing traffic flow.

Wahab expressed concern over the drainage blockage caused by squatter’s illegal activities, leading to flooding in the area, posing a significant threat to lives and properties.

He said, “The drainage channels which de-floods Idumota and environs have been taken over by squatters who have constituted nuisance and security risks to the area and property owners who deliberately built to obstruct free-flow of water.

“This will be the third time we are visiting Lagos Island. The administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Deputy Governor, D. Obafemi Hamzat, has awarded the regeneration of the Lagos Island drainage system and road infrastructure. We also noticed one or two critical drainage systems for deflooding Lagos Island were not captured in that plan. So this morning, we had to come and look at the Olusi Bombata Collector and Alagbafo. What we saw we are not happy about.

“Shanties were erected along the length of the channel, and their activities blocked collectors that are supposed to carry stormwater into the channel, which resulted in the flooding experienced during the rainy season. How do we maintain the drainage system.? We have to stop it, and we are stopping it right away. And later we have to find a way to award the contract.”

Wahab emphasised that “ensuring a clean and flood-free environment is a major task to which the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is committed and will not relent in its efforts to achieve this.”