The Lagos State government, on Thursday, acceded to the appeals of property owners situated on drainage setbacks, granting them time to devise solutions that would reinstate the setbacks without resorting to demolition.
The respite comes in the wake of ongoing discussions between the government and property owners along the Lekki County corridor, Ikota GRA, Megamound Estate, Ajiran, Agungi, Orchid, Oral II, and surrounding areas.
Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, expressed Lagos state’s dedication to restoring drainage setbacks that have been obstructed or repurposed as access roads during conversations with property owners and residents at Alausa.
“The state government would be humane in its approach to reclaim the drainage right and will give property owners and residents opportunity to proffer a solution to reclaiming the setback, till a particular date, to reduce the number of structures that would be affected,” Wahab said.
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As reported by the Guardian, he informed Megamound Estate representatives that the 19.5-meter-wide System 44A, traversing Ikota GRA and Megamound, is obstructed by structures belonging to Ikota GRA and Lekki County property owners and residents.
Emphasizing the government’s commitment to addressing flooding in the area, he announced plans to restore the 31-meter drainage alignment and reclaim six-meter setbacks on both sides.
Property owners with fences encroaching on the drainage setbacks will receive mandatory contravention notices in accordance with the law, with enforcement being the last resort.
During the meeting, affected property owners appealed to the commissioner for leniency and requested an opportunity to propose solutions.
Responding to their pleas, the commissioner urged developers and builders to obtain drainage approvals before initiating projects.