Lagos halts illegal reclamation projects over flooding risk

Lagos reclamation projects have been ordered to stop immediately by the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, which has expressed concern over widespread illegal land reclamation across the state.

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The ministry said on Wednesday that reclamation activities on wetlands, floodplains, and lagoons particularly around Parkview, Banana Island, Osborne, Victoria Island Extension, Lekki, Ajah, Oworonshoki, Lagos Mainland, Ikorodu, Ojo and Badagry were being carried out without the required Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) approvals and drainage clearance.

Officials warned that while reclamation can provide space for housing and infrastructure, it also poses grave risks.

These include heightened vulnerability to flooding, coastal erosion, disruption of fishing livelihoods, biodiversity loss, water pollution, and reduced lagoon capacity.

“With the low-lying topography of the State and its fragile ecosystem, the Government cannot allow this indiscriminate reclamation of the Lagoons, Wetlands and Floodplains to continue unabated,” the statement read.

The ministry directed that all reclamation projects whether approved or not be suspended immediately.

Approved projects must be resubmitted for proper documentation and monitoring, while new or ongoing ones must undergo the full EIA process before clearance is granted.

Developers have been given a seven-day ultimatum to comply. The ministry said it would otherwise move to decommission reclaimed sites, excavate illegal fills, reopen blocked water channels, and prosecute anyone involved.

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The strong stance reflects the state’s growing urgency in tackling environmental threats linked to urban expansion and climate pressures, particularly as Lagos battles recurrent flooding.

Quadri Olaitan