The Lagos State Government has warned that it will shut construction sites and penalise developers who dump building materials on public roads and drainage channels, as part of efforts to curb environmental violations and reduce flooding risks.
The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed this on Sunday after inspecting ongoing environmental projects across Lagos Island.
Wahab stressed that the government would no longer tolerate environmental violations that obstruct drainage systems and contribute to urban flooding.
“We have made it clear that construction sites responsible for these violations will be stopped and made to pay penalties for forcing the government to deploy resources to address their infractions,” the commissioner emphasised.
He also said that shanties along rights of way would be removed.
Following an unannounced visit to the Lagos State Waste Management Authority’s Adeniji office, Wahab directed the agency to submit a roadmap outlining its infrastructure needs.
The commissioner also disclosed that the ministry had received petitions over unusual flooding in Victoria Garden City, prompting targeted inspections to identify and address underlying drainage blockages.
The warning came as the Nigerian Government identified Lagos, alongside 23 other states and the Federal Capital Territory, as areas at critical risk of flooding, urging communities to remain on immediate flood watch.
