The Lagos State Government has slated 39 buildings in two upscale estates within Eti-Osa Local Government Area for demolition, citing illegal encroachment on the Right of Way (RoW) of the Ikota River.
The properties, located in the Maroko Okun Alfa Ward of Lekki, include structures in Oral Extension Estate and Westend, Mega Mond Estate. Authorities say the decision was prompted by multiple petitions over encroachments into the river’s RoW.
As part of the enforcement, indefinite quit notices have been issued to the affected residents, urging them to vacate the properties with their belongings ahead of the demolition.
According to government officials, 20 buildings have been marked for complete demolition, eight for partial removal, and 13 structures in Westend Estate are also scheduled to come down.
On Thursday, officials from the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, led by Commissioner Tokunbo Wahab, visited the affected areas. The enforcement team began dismantling parts of perimeter fences around some of the marked buildings.
Wahab stated that the government’s move became necessary after extensive investigations and consultations with stakeholders to reach a compromise.
“We’ve received numerous complaints about encroachment along the Ikota River. Despite our efforts to engage and find a balanced solution, developers continued to build further into the river’s RoW,” he said.
“We conducted digital mapping of the area and what we saw on ground was alarming. Some developers had not only ignored regulations but intensified construction activities,” he added.
He emphasized the government’s responsibility to safeguard both lives and the environment.
“We’ve allowed residents time to relocate, especially families with school-age children. In the meantime, we’ve begun pulling back fences and halting further encroachment,” Wahab noted.
Commenting specifically on Mega Mond Estate, the commissioner condemned unauthorized land reclamation, warning developers against proceeding without regulatory clearance.
“Before any reclamation, developers must secure drainage clearance and conduct environmental impact assessments. Anything short of this threatens the ecosystem and residents,” he said.
He further directed that all ongoing construction in the estate be halted immediately.
“They’ve pushed sand beyond the approved limit into the RoW. We’ve ordered them to reverse this and submit relevant documentation. If they fail to comply, we won’t hesitate to take decisive action.”
Wahab also clarified the breakdown of the affected structures.
“We have about 18 structures on the first stretch, roughly 13 beyond the canal, and eight more in Westend. Some of these are extensions or auxiliary structures behind main buildings.”
The Lagos State Government has reiterated its commitment to enforcing environmental laws and preventing further encroachment on waterways, especially as urban expansion continues across the Lekki axis.
