The Lagos State Government has directed the immediate suspension of all reclamation projects across the state, whether or not they have Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) approval and drainage clearance.
The directive was issued on Thursday in a statement signed by the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, who stressed that “all approved Reclamation Projects across the State must be submitted for proper Documentation and Monitoring, while all on-going and intending ones must be subjected to the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process with issuance of Approval and Drainage Clearance from the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources.”
Wahab issued a stern warning, declaring that “failure to comply with this directive within the next 7 DAYS will leave the Ministry with no other option than to deploy appropriate machineries to decommission the reclaimed sites including excavation and removal of fill and reconnecting of already blocked water channels on the Lagoon amongst others.” He added that after the 7-day grace, the state government “will effect the arrest and prosecution of anyone involved and or are found on the site of such illegality.”
The Commissioner expressed deep concern over the growing number of reclamation activities taking place on wetlands, floodplains, and lagoons across Lagos, identifying hotspots such as Parkview, Banana Island, Osborne, Ikoyi, Victoria Island Extension, Lekki, Ajah, Ikorodu, Oworonshoki, Lagos Mainland, Ojo, and Badagry.
He stressed that many of the reclamation projects are being executed “without requisite Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Approvals and Drainage Clearance from the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources.”
Highlighting the risks, Wahab noted: “While reclamation may provide space for Housing and Infrastructure redevelopment, it also poses significant Environmental and Social risks including increased vulnerability to flooding, coastal erosion, disruption of livelihood (especially fishing), loss of wetlands and biodiversity, constriction of the Lagoons and their capacity, impairment of water quality amongst others.”
With Lagos’ low-lying topography and fragile ecosystem, Wahab emphasised that “the State Government cannot afford to allow this indiscriminate reclamation of the Lagoons, Wetlands and floodplains to continue unabated.”
The Lagos State Government urged all individuals and organisations involved in reclamation activities to adhere strictly to the directive to avoid penalties.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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