THE Lagos State Government has ordered an immediate suspension of all land reclamation activities across the state, citing growing environmental concerns.
The Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, issued the directive in a statement yesterday warning that developers who fail to comply within seven days risk severe penalties, including site decommissioning and possible arrests.
According to Wahab, the ministry has observed an alarming increase in reclamation projects on sensitive areas such as wetlands, floodplains, and lagoons in locations including Parkview, Banana Island, Osborne, Ikoyi, Victoria Island Extension, Lekki, Ajah, Oworonshoki, and parts of Ikorodu.
He noted that many of these projects lacked proper Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) approvals and drainage clearance, raising the risk of flooding, erosion, and ecosystem damage.
“Lagos’s low-lying topography and fragile ecosystem cannot survive indiscriminate reclamation without grave consequences,” Wahab stressed.
The commissioner directed that all approved reclamation projects must be resubmitted for documentation and monitoring, while ongoing or proposed ones must undergo the EIA process and obtain formal approval before continuation.
Wahab warned that the government would not hesitate to dismantle illegal fills, reopen blocked waterways, and prosecute violators. “Enough is enough,” he declared.