Lagos Suspends All Reclamation Projects Across The State

The Lagos State Government has announced a suspension of all reclamation projects across the State with or without requisite Environmental Impact Assessment, EIA And Drainage Clearance’.

In a statement Thursday and personally signed by Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, the Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, the State expressed with grave concern the proliferation of reclamation activities on Wetlands, Floodplains and the Lagoons across the State.

The Commissioner pointed out the activities around Parkview, Banana Island, Osborne and other parts of Ikoyi, Victoria Island Extension, Lekki, Ajah, Oworonshoki, Lagos Mainland, Ikorodu, Ojo and Badagry axis, without consideration of the adverse Impacts on the Environment and the Wellbeing and Safety of the good people of the State.

“These indiscriminate Reclamation projects are being executed without requisite Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Approvals and Drainage Clearance from this Ministry,” Wahab noted.

He explained that while reclamation may provide space for Housing and Infrastructure development, “it also poses significant Environmental and Social risks including increased vulnerability to flooding, coastal erosion, disruption of livelihood (especially fishing), loss of wetlands and biodiversity, constriction of the Lagoons and their capacity, impairment of water quality amongst others.

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

“Consequently, the Ministry is by this Notice directing all Reclamation Projects across the State with or without EIA approval and Drainage Clearance to be SUSPENDED IMMEDIATELY.

“All approved Reclamation Projects across the State must be submitted for proper Documentation and Monitoring, while all on-going and intending ones must be subjected to the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process with issuance of Approval Letter and Drainage Clearance from the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources.

“Failure to comply with this directive within the next 7 DAYS after this publication shall leave the Ministry with no other option than to deploy APPROPRIATE machineries to decommission the reclaimed sites including excavation and removal of fill, reconnecting of already blocked water channels on the Lagoon and the arrest and prosecution of anyone involved and or found on the site of the illegality.”