The Lagos State government has announced that, as part of its commitment to ensuring a flood-free Lagos, no fewer than 1,141 contraventions were removed in the past year to restore Drainage Rights of Way (ROW) across the state.

Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed this during the 2025 Ministerial Press Briefings organised as part of activities to mark the second anniversary of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration.

Wahab noted that the ROW restoration and protection efforts included System 40 and 40A Alaba International Market Channel and Franklas Channel, spanning 3.5 kilometres; System 34B Aiyetoro/Iteku/Ishasi Drainage Channel in Ojo Local Council, spanning three kilometres; and System 131 Odo Iraye Channel in Epe Local Council, which spans 2.5 kilometres, among others.

He added that from 2023 to date, 12 primary drainage channels, with a combined length of 32.5 kilometres, were restored, while another 84 secondary channels, totalling 96 kilometres, were restored in 2024. Four more primary channels have been proposed for restoration in 2025.

To address the tidal effect, Wahab revealed that the state has constructed a state-of-the-art pumping station, the first of its kind in Africa, at Ilubirin on Lagos Island. The pumping station is designed to discharge stormwater from Lagos Island into the lagoon through an elevated channel after the completion of the ongoing Lagos Island Drainage Regeneration Project.

He explained that the project aims to deflood the entire Lagos Island, benefiting areas such as Oroyinyin, Idumagbo, Binuyo, Aroloya, Epe, and Ojo-Giwa, among others.

“During the year under review, we issued 1,674 abatement notices and carried out 4,955 monitoring visits for various environmental health infractions. In the process, 171 premises were sealed for failing to abate nuisances after being served,” Wahab said.

He listed infractions as including the stacking of building materials on roads and drainage channels, which block the free flow of stormwater; indiscriminate mixing of building materials on roads; the absence of toilet facilities in tenements, leading to open urination and defecation; and indiscriminate waste disposal.

On enforcement actions by the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), Wahab disclosed that 872 complaints were received, of which 610 were noise-related. A total of 129 cases were abated, 320 cases were resolved with appreciation letters from complainants, and 26 cases remain under investigation.

LASEPA also monitored 140 hospitality facilities, including supermarkets, nightclubs, and bakeries, to ensure compliance with the 2017 Lagos State Environmental Laws on safety and cleanliness.

Wahab further stated that the Lagos State Wastewater Management Office (LASWAMO) intensified efforts to meet Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) by combating illegal wastewater discharge and mismanagement. During the review period, LASWAMO inspected 2,315 facilities, served 1,005 abatement notices, and ensured compliance at 1,091 facilities. Enforcement actions were carried out against 208 non-compliant facilities.

He added that LASWAMO deployed three Modular Septage Pre-Treatment Plants (MSPPs) to efficiently treat faecal sludge before discharge into the Odo Iya Alaro waterbody.

The commissioner emphasised that the government would continue its advocacy campaigns to encourage compliance, while enforcement actions would persist against recalcitrant individuals and organisations.