Lagos Govt Suspends All Reclamation Projects In The State.

 

Tokunbo Wahab.

The Lagos State government has issued an order for the immediate suspension of all land reclamation projects throughout the state.

The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, stated that the directive applies to all such projects, regardless of whether they have received Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) approval or drainage clearance.

In a statement released on Thursday, Wahab expressed the government’s concern over the increasing number of reclamation activities occurring in wetlands, floodplains, and lagoon areas—particularly in Parkview, Banana Island, Osborne, Ikoyi, Victoria Island Extension, Lekki, Ajah, Oworonshoki, Lagos Mainland, Ikorodu, Ojo, and Badagry.

He noted that many of these projects are being carried out without proper approval from the ministry, adding that these uncontrolled activities present serious environmental and social hazards.

He stated, “These include increased vulnerability to flooding, coastal erosion, disruption of livelihoods (especially fishing), loss of wetlands and biodiversity, constriction of the lagoons and their capacity, and impairment of water quality.”

“With the low-lying topography of the state and its fragile ecosystem, the state government cannot afford to allow this indiscriminate reclamation of the lagoons, wetlands, and floodplains to continue unabated.”

Wahab explained that all previously approved reclamation projects must be resubmitted for thorough documentation and monitoring, while those currently underway or in planning stages must complete the EIA process and receive official clearance from the ministry.

He cautioned that failure to comply within seven days would compel the ministry to decommission the sites, clear blocked lagoon channels, and arrest and prosecute those responsible.