The Lagos State Government has marked at least 39 buildings in two upscale estates for demolition due to encroachment on the Right of Way, Row, of the Ikota Riverbank in the Eti-Osa Local Government Area.
The affected area, situated in the Maroko Okun Alfa Ward of the Lekki axis, includes Oral Extension Estate and Westend, Mega Mond Estate.
The demolition order follows a series of petitions concerning encroachments into the river’s RoW. Consequently, the government has issued indefinite quit notices to affected residents, urging them to relocate with their belongings and families ahead of the planned demolition exercise.
According to officials, 20 buildings are marked for complete demolition, eight for partial removal, and 13 structures at Westend Estate are also set to be taken down.
On Thursday, officials from the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, led by Commissioner Tokunbo Wahab, visited the estates. The enforcement team was observed inspecting and dismantling parts of the perimeter fences of affected structures.
Wahab explained that the government’s intervention became necessary after extensive investigations and stakeholder engagements aimed at finding a “win-win”; solution.
“We’ve received numerous complaints about encroachment along the Ikota River. Despite our efforts to engage and find a balanced solution, developers continued to build further into the river’s RoW,”; Wahab said.
He added, “We conducted digital mapping of the area and what we saw on ground was alarming. Some developers had not only ignored regulations but intensified construction activities.”;
Wahab emphasised the need to protect lives and the environment. “We’ve allowed residents time to relocate, especially families with school-age children. In the meantime, we’ve begun pulling back fences and halting further encroachment,”; he said.
Speaking on developments at Mega Mond Estate, Wahab warned against unauthorised land reclamation activities.
“Before any reclamation, developers must secure drainage clearance and conduct environmental impact assessments. Anything short of this threatens the ecosystem and residents.”;
He added that all ongoing works in the estate must stop immediately.
“They’ve pushed sand beyond the approved limit into the RoW. We’ve ordered them to reverse this and submit relevant documentation. If they fail to comply, we won’t hesitate to take decisive action.”;
On the number of buildings affected, Wahab clarified: “We have about 18 structures on the first stretch, roughly 13 beyond the canal, and eight more in Westend. Some of these are extensions or auxiliary structures behind main buildings.”;
