Lagos Govt removes 1,141 contraventions to restore drainage right of ways
…Intensifies efforts to combat flooding
By Sodiq Adelakun
The Lagos State Government has successfully removed 1,141 contraventions in the past year as part of its ongoing efforts to restore drainage Right of Ways (ROW) and reduce flooding across the state.
This update was provided by the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, during the 2025 Ministerial Press Briefings on Friday, April 25, marking the second-year anniversary of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration.
In a statement signed by Kunle Adeshina, Director of Public Affairs at the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, Wahab outlined the restoration of key drainage systems, including vital channels like the System 40 & 40a Alaba International Market Channel, Franklas Channel (3.5 km), System 34B Aiyetoro/Iteku/Ishasi Drainage Channel in Ojo Local Government Area (3.0 km), and the System 131 Odo Iraye Channel in Epe Local Government Area (2.5 km), among others.
Since 2023, the state government has successfully restored 12 primary drainage channels, covering a total distance of 32.5 kilometres. Additionally, 84 secondary channels, totalling 96 kilometres, have been rehabilitated in 2024. Four more primary channels are slated for restoration in 2025.
Wahab further drew attention to the development of a state-of-the-art pumping station at Ilubirin, Lagos Island, a facility described as the first of its kind in Africa. The pumping station, part of the ongoing Lagos Island Drainage Regeneration Project, is designed to pump stormwater from the island into the lagoon via an elevated channel.
“This state-of-the-art pumping station at Ilubirin is recorded as the first of its kind in Africa,” Wahab said. “It is intended to discharge stormwater from Lagos Island into the lagoon once the ongoing Lagos Island Drainage Regeneration Project is completed.”
The initiative is aimed at de-flooding the island, benefiting areas such as Oroyinyin, Idumagbo, Binuyo, Aroloya, and Epe.
In addition to restoring drainage systems, the Lagos State Government has taken action against environmental health infractions. Over the past year, the state issued 1,674 abatement notices and conducted 4,955 monitoring inspections related to issues such as illegal waste disposal and the unlawful stacking of building materials obstructing drainage channels. As a result, 171 premises were sealed for non-compliance with regulations.
Wahab also highlighted the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), which responded to 872 complaints, primarily related to noise pollution. Of these, 129 cases were successfully resolved, and 320 were addressed with appreciation letters from the complainants.
“In the past year, we issued 1,674 abatement notices, carried out 4,955 inspections on various environmental health issues, and sealed 171 premises for failing to comply with regulations,” Wahab added.
The Lagos State Waste Water Management Office (LASWAMO) also intensified its efforts to combat illegal wastewater discharge and improve sanitation services. Over the past year, the agency inspected 2,315 facilities, issued 1,005 abatement notices, and enforced actions against 208 non-compliant facilities.
In line with its broader commitment to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) – which focuses on clean water and sanitation – the government deployed three Modular Septage Pre-Treatment Plants (MSPP) to treat fecal sludge before discharging it into the Odo Iya Alaro waterbody.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment, Engr. Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu, urged Lagosians to continue supporting the government’s efforts to create a cleaner, safer, and flood-free environment.
“Lagosians must continue to support the government in making Lagos a safe, clean, flood-free, and sustainable city,” Rotimi-Akodu said. “The protection of the environment is a collective responsibility between the government and the people.”
The event was attended by senior officials, including the Permanent Secretaries of the Office of Environmental Services, Dr. Gaji Omobolaji Tajudeen, and the Office of Drainage Services and Water Resources, Engr. Mahamood Adegbite, as well as representatives from the Ministry of Information and Strategy and the Lagos State Government’s Media and Publicity team.
