The Lagos State Government has ordered an immediate halt to all land reclamation activities across the state due to growing environmental concerns.
This directive was issued by the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, in a statement released on Thursday. He expressed alarm over the rising number of reclamation projects being carried out on sensitive areas such as wetlands, floodplains, and parts of the lagoon.
According to Wahab, locations affected include Parkview, Banana Island, Osborne, Ikoyi, Victoria Island Extension, Lekki, Ajah, Oworonshoki, and parts of Ikorodu. He noted that many of these developments were being executed without proper Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) approvals or drainage clearance from the ministry.
While acknowledging the potential benefits of reclamation for urban development, Wahab emphasized that such projects also pose significant threats, including increased flooding, soil erosion, and disruption to delicate ecosystems. He stressed that Lagos’s low elevation and environmental sensitivity make it especially vulnerable to the adverse effects of unregulated reclamation.
As a result, the state government has directed that all reclamation projects, regardless of whether they have prior approvals, must cease operations immediately. Developers with approved projects are now required to resubmit their documentation for verification and monitoring, while those with ongoing or proposed projects must undergo the EIA process and obtain the necessary approvals from the ministry.
Wahab warned that any party failing to comply within seven days would face stiff penalties, which could include the closure of project sites and legal action. He also announced plans by the ministry to dismantle unauthorized reclamation efforts, clear obstructed drainage channels, and prosecute offenders.
