Lagos State Commissioner vows to remove more structures blocking rainwater flow

Lagos State Commissioner for Environment, Tokunbo Wahab, has reaffirmed his commitment to removing structures obstructing the free flow of rainwater, regardless of the owners’ status.

This decision comes in the wake of severe flooding that has submerged numerous houses, communities, and properties across Lagos. Affected areas include Epe, Eredo, Bogije, Labora, Abijo, Sangotedo, Awoyaya, and Ibeju-Lekki.

Wahab emphasized that the removal of these structures will proceed “irrespective of who or how highly placed the owners are.”

Additionally, Wahab addressed a controversial post on X (formerly Twitter) that questioned if the demolition of Igbo-owned properties and businesses in Lagos in 2023 was politically motivated. He expressed his frustration over the insinuation, reiterating the impartiality of the planned actions against obstructive structures.

@PureStanley1 had tweeted; 

“Can we all now agree that the Igbo owned property and business demolition we witnessed in Lagos 2023, was all politically engineered? and we were told that some of the buildings were built on canals, thereby blocking the flow of water and causing flooding in Lagos. @tokunbo_wahab can u explain to us why there was a flood in Lagos again yesterday and the early hours of today, after going on demolition spree on IGBOS owned properties? Take the Microphone sir, we await ur response!.”

Responding to this, Wahab wrote; 

“Many more structures obstructing the free flow of rain water in Lagos will still be removed irrespective of who or highly placed the owners are. Prepare your mind to make your usual aimless and empty noise. If turning it to ethnic narrative makes you happy, go ahead! TW.”