- Lagos Orders Immediate Suspension of All Land Reclamation Projects
- Wahab noted that many of the projects were executed without authorisation from the Ministry
- He directed only projects subjected to a full EIA and cleared by the Ministry will be permitted to continue
The Lagos State Government has ordered the immediate suspension of all reclamation projects across the state, citing serious environmental and social threats posed by ongoing activities in wetlands, floodplains and lagoon areas.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the directive was contained in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, and titled “Immediate suspension of all reclamation projects across the state with or without EIA approval and drainage clearance”.
EDITOR’S PICK
- ‘I Won’t Interfere in Fubara’s Governance’ – Wike Vows
- Tinubu to Visit Buhari’s Family in Kaduna, Attend Yari’s Son’s Wedding
- First Lady Gifts N50,000 Each to 500 Women in Enugu
According to the Ministry, several reclamation works have been carried out indiscriminately in high-profile areas such as Parkview, Banana Island, Osborne, Ikoyi, Victoria Island Extension, Lekki, Ajah and Oworonshoki, as well as in Lagos Mainland, Ikorodu, Ojo and Badagry.
Wahab noted that many of the projects were executed without authorisation from the Ministry.
He directed that all reclamation works, whether previously approved or not, be suspended with immediate effect.
While acknowledging that reclamation can provide land for housing and infrastructure, Wahab warned that unregulated activities carry far greater costs.
These include flooding, coastal erosion, disruption of fishing livelihoods, biodiversity loss, constricted lagoon capacity, and impaired water quality.
“With the low-lying topography of the state and its fragile ecosystem, the government cannot allow indiscriminate reclamation of lagoons, wetlands and floodplains to continue unabated,” the Commissioner said.
He further directed that only projects subjected to a full Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and cleared by the Ministry will be permitted to continue.
The statement also warned of strict enforcement against violators, including decommissioning of sites, removal of filled areas, reopening of blocked water channels, prosecution, and arrests. Developers have been given seven days to comply with the suspension order.
FURTHER READING
- Moibi Emerges Chairman-Elect of Dental Technologies Association, Lagos
- Eredo LCDA to Commission Major Educational Projects
Click here to watch video of the week
