The Lagos State Government on Sunday
ordered owners of properties erected on
drainage channels and impeding the free-
flow of water to immediately vacate or risk
being removed.
In a statement signed by the Commissioner
for the Environment, Babatunde Adejare, he
listed some of the areas where properties
were erected on drainage channels to
include Illubirin, Dolphin Estate, Osborne
Foreshore Estate, Ikoyi, Osapa London, Ikota,
Ogombo, Lekki, among others, noting that
the massive investment of public fund into
drainage clearing and de-silting had been
compromised by structures hindering the
free-flow of water.
The Commissioner said ‘it is now of
paramount importance that owners of
buildings or structures impeding the free-
flow of storm water, wherever they exist in
the State, are advised to voluntarily quit
forthwith in the overriding public interest or
risk being removed by the State Government
as no responsible government will allow the
interest of a few to jeopardise the wellness
and wellbeing of the generality of its
people’.
“In view of the grievous consequences of
compromising drainage right of way and
alignment, Lagosians are hereby warned to
henceforth refrain from this illegal act,
report perpetrators and cooperate with the
Lagos State Government in its bid to achieve
a flood-free, clean and livable State,” Adejare
said.
He continued to say, ‘for the avoidance of
doubt, Lagosians are once again reminded
that the right of way for primary unlined
(without concrete) channel is 25 meters and
15 meters for primary lined (with concrete)
channel, while the right of way for
secondary/connector channel is seven
meters. The right of way for tertiary channel
is three meters from the fence of the house.
“Primary channels such as canals are those
emptying directly into the river, lagoons and
other water bodies, while secondary/
connector channels connect water from
channels in the frontage of the house
(tertiary channels) to the primary channel,”
the Commissioner said.
