The Lagos State Government has given a 48-hour notice to property owners who built “illegal structures” and squatters along the Gbagada-Bariga Canal.
The Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, announced this on his X handle on Sunday.
Wahab said, “The drainage channel which floods Bariga, Gbagada and Sholuyi downstream communities and environs and discharges into System 1 has been taken over by squatters who have constituted a nuisance and security risks to the estate, including property owners who deliberately built to obstruct free flow of water in the area.
“Shanties have been erected along the length of the canal and the activities of squatters have blocked collectors that are supposed to carry stormwater into the canal which resulted in the flooding experienced during the week.”
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The commissioner warned that upon expiration of the notice, operatives of the Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources would commence the removal of the illegal structures in order to deflood the area.
He added that on Saturday, the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps embarked on a sting enforcement along the TBS perimetre fence and cleared the area of street trading which was causing gridlock and environmental nuisance.