The Lagos State government has ordered the removal of all
illegal structures on the Gbagada Wetland opposite TREM, in Kosofe Local
Government Area.
The wetland is being developed into Maverick Estate by an
unnamed property developer.
Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources Tokunbo Wahab
gave the demolition order on Friday when he led other top ministry officials on
an inspection tour of some drainage projects under System 1 of Ikeja, and
Gbagada environs.
Wahab, who described development of a wetland as ‘a recipe for crisis and disaster’, also ordered that the site be sealed up.
He said: “We visited Systems 1 drainage because the contract
to establish its Right of Way has been awarded, so we want to ensure the
contractor is on site to work. We also awarded the contract for its lining from
behind Sheraton down to the Maryland/Ojota Bridge. The sheet piling will start
from the other of the bridge to the outfall and into the lagoon.
“We also noticed some encroachments on wetlands across the
metropolis, and so we came to Gbagada and discovered this infraction on the
wetland opposite the TREM church. The developer has leveled the wetland to
build Maverick Estate.
“But we have asked them to stop work and gave them 24 hours
removal notice. They should come up with relevant papers, such as wetland
clearance, drainage certificate and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
certificates. These are the documents we must see before they can even proceed
to obtain any form of approval from the government.
“However, its heart wrenching to see how people abuse the
environment. This plain should take storm water but they went to build on it
illegally. Wetlands are meant to hold rain water, and when the rain subsides
and the water level is low, it discharges back into the lagoon.
“We can’t allow this thing to go on. Global warming is real.
Look at what is happening in the northern part of the country. That tells you
that we can’t keep playing the Ostrich. These are narratives and advocacies we
must keep pushing forward and telling our people that we have to do the right
thing, and it starts from you and I.”
Asked if they would be allowed to go on building if they have
government approval, Wahab retorted ‘no, you can’t build on a wetland.
Encroachment on wetland is a recipe for crisis and disaster.”
He added: “Now we have taken up the Right of Way from System
One, the most critical system in the state, and we have also taken steps beyond
the Right of Way by awarding the contract to sheet pile it line it in order to
secure it forever.
“More so, we have awarded the contract for the TREM channel to
discharge, collect to Newcastle and discharge to System 1. But from what they
are doing here, they will cover it up soon if they are not stopped.
“We are also continuing in our enforcements against
encroachment. We have been to the Lekki corridor down to Epe, Ikorodu,
Amuwo-Odofin, Badagry, Ojo, Apapa. And those who have erected structures on
wetlands have been directed to remove them voluntarily and pay penalty to the
government.
“Compliance has been good, though people will push back
naturally because it is land and it determines development all over the world.
But the fact remains that you can’t encroach on a land designated as a wetland
in a coastal state like Lagos, which is below the sea level. It is a
recipe for crisis and disaster.”
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