Lagos State government has commenced the removal of structures and shanties on setbacks of drainage channels at Lekki Phase 2, Ikota Drainage channel, saying it would not condone any illegality.

The demolition will ensure that all buildings and shanties that have narrowed the drainage channel and causing flooding in the area and adjoining communities are cleared.

The demolition exercise in highbrow Lekki areas of Mobil road and Gedegede community, followed the expiration of several contravention notices served on property owners, which were ignored .

Speaking with journalists at the scene of the exercise, Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, said the demolition underscored the resolve of the Sanwo-Olu administration to restore law and order.

Wahab, who spoke through the Director, Drainage Enforcement and Compliance, Mahmood Adegbite, said government started serving contravention notices in 2000, when the structures were still at foundation levels.

He said they, however, proved recalcitrant and rebuffed all measures suggested to them by the state government to prevent flooding, and went ahead to sandfill the setback, preparatory to constructing more structures .

Adegbite reminded that one cannot write the story of Lagos without the unfortunate incident of flash flooding.

“We are all aware that flooding is caused by natural forces and anthropogenic factors, one of which is building on flood plains and right of way of drainages.”

“The approved right of way is 15 metres, but following the high density of the area, it was reduced to 10 metres. Property owners in the area not only built on the right of way, but obstructed the water carriage way from 15 to three metres.

He said the drainage channel is about four kilometres, but government would ensure that the maintenance crew dredge and widen the width of the canal after demolition.

He advised all aspiring and property owners to cooperate with government and seek information before embarking on any building project to avert controversies.

“Few people cannot be allowed to cause hardship to the majority. This should serve as a warning to others who have done similar things at other locations, they should know that their actions have consequences at the end of the day,” he said.