The Lagos State Government has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to traders operating under the Apongbon Bridge and along drainage setbacks on Lagos Island. This directive is part of the state’s ongoing efforts to address environmental challenges and improve urban infrastructure.
The announcement was made by the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, during an inspection tour of the Savage/Elegbata/Bombata Drainage Channel on Thursday.
Wahab expressed concern over the illegal conversion of spaces under the Apongbon Bridge into livestock markets and other unauthorized activities.
“What we saw is not something that we are happy about. People have fully built on setback and drainage channels and when you build structures on these infrastructure, how do you expect these infrastructure to be maintained?” Wahab said, calling for an immediate relocation of traders to designated market spaces.
The commissioner noted that human activities, such as trading on drainage channels, have led to severe environmental problems, including flooding and threats to public safety. He instructed officials to serve abatement notices to traders and warned that enforcement actions would follow if compliance was not achieved after the deadline.
Wahab also addressed illegal construction activities in the area. Two buildings under construction on Alakoro Martins Street and Ebute Ero Market were sealed for stacking materials on drainage systems, which blocked water flow. He stated that the offenders must clear the blockages and restore the drainage system before the buildings would be unsealed.
“The buildings were sealed because they stacked their building materials on the drainage system and this is illegal because they block the drainage system in the process. Such offenders will be required to remove the materials and clean the drainage system before they are unsealed,” Wahab noted.
The inspection tour, which covered areas such as Savage Lane, Cole Street, George Street, and Olowogbowo, also addressed broader issues like stolen manhole covers. Wahab revealed that the Ministries of Environment and Works are working together to resolve this problem.
Engr. Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu, the Special Adviser on Environment, urged traders to utilize designated markets and avoid defacing public spaces. He also called on residents to take responsibility for preserving public infrastructure.
