The Lagos State Government has given squatters and owners of illegal structures along the Gbagada-Bariga drainage channel 48 hours to vacate the area.
The announcement was made by the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, on social media platform X on Sunday.
Wahab explained that the drainage channel, which helps prevent flooding in Bariga, Gbagada, Sholuyi, and nearby communities, has been blocked by squatters and illegal structures. This blockage has caused recent flooding in the area.
“The drainage channel which defloods Bariga, Gbagada, Sholuyi downstream communities and environs, and discharges into System 1 has been taken over by squatters who have constituted nuisance and security risks to the estate, and property owners who deliberately built to obstruct free flow of water in the area,” Wahab stated.
He added, “Shanties were erected along the length of the channel, and their activities blocked collectors that are supposed to carry stormwater into the channel, which resulted in the flooding experienced during the week.”
Wahab announced that after the eviction notice expires, the Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources will start removing the illegal structures to restore proper drainage and reduce flooding in the area.
This action follows a 10-hour downpour on Wednesday that caused severe flooding in many parts of Lagos and Ogun states.
The heavy rain led to the collapse of a two-story building in Mushin, halted traffic on several roads, and disrupted business activities. Thousands of residents were affected, and many pupils were unable to attend school.
