Lagos cracks down on illegal structures, as Gbagada-Bariga drainage channel clearance begins

By Sodiq Adelakun

The Lagos State Government has begun demolishing marked shanties and illegal structures along the Gbagada-Bariga drainage channel, following the expiration of a 48-hour quit notice issued on Monday by the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab.

The demolition is targeted at addressing the encroachment by squatters on the drainage setbacks, which has been identified as a major source of flooding in the area.

Last Wednesday, the Gbagada axis experienced massive flooding after a 10-hour downpour, causing hardship for motorists and residents.

According to Wahab on Wednesday through his official X (formerly Twitter) handle, “Following the expiration of a removal notice to owners of shanties beside Bariga-Gbagada Drainage Channel, operatives of the Drainage Enforcement and Compliance department from Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources commenced the removal of all the shanties on the drainage setback to stem the incident of flooding.”

Wahab attributed the flooding in the area to the encroachment by squatters, stating that the removal of the illegal structures is necessary to prevent future flooding.

The demolition exercise is being carried out by the Drainage Enforcement and Compliance department of the Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources.