Lagos orders immediate suspension of all reclamation projects without EIA, drainage clearance

…Warns Developers Against Environmental Abuse, Gives 7-Day Ultimatum

LAGOS — The Lagos State Government has ordered the contiguous suspension of each reclamation projects crossed the state, citing sedate biology and societal risks posed by indiscriminate onshore reclamation activities.

In a connection issued by the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, the ministry expressed interest implicit the proliferation of unregulated reclamation works connected wetlands, floodplains, and lagoons successful cardinal areas specified arsenic Parkview, Banana Island, Osborne, Victoria Island Extension, Lekki, Ajah, Oworonshoki, Lagos Mainland, Ikorodu, Ojo, and Badagry.

According to the statement, astir of these projects were being carried retired without the requisite Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) approvals and drainage clearance from the ministry.

“While reclamation whitethorn supply abstraction for lodging and infrastructure development, it besides poses important biology and societal risks including accrued vulnerability to flooding, coastal erosion, disruption of livelihood—especially fishing—loss of wetlands and biodiversity, constriction of lagoon capacity, and impairment of h2o quality,” Wahab stated.

He stressed that with Lagos’ low-lying topography and fragile ecosystem, the authorities could not proceed to tolerate indiscriminate reclamation that threatens the information and wellbeing of residents.

The directive, which takes contiguous effect, mandates that each approved reclamation projects beryllium submitted to the ministry for due documentation and monitoring, portion ongoing and projected projects indispensable acquisition the afloat EIA process and get clearance.

Wahab warned that nonaccomplishment to comply with the directive wrong 7 days would pull stiff enforcement measures, including the decommissioning of sites, excavation and removal of amerciable fills, reopening of blocked h2o channels, and apprehension and prosecution of violators.

“Enough is enough,” the commissioner declared, stressing the government’s resoluteness to safeguard the authorities against avoidable ecological disasters.

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