The Lagos government has ordered the immediate suspension of all land reclamation projects across the state.
Tokunbo Wahab, commissioner for environment and water resources, made the announcement in a statement on Thursday.
Wahab said the ministry is concerned about the rising number of reclamation activities on wetlands, floodplains, and the lagoons, especially in Parkview, Banana Island, Osborne, Victoria Island Extension, Lekki, Ajah, Oworonshoki, Ikorodu, Ojo, Badagry, and parts of Lagos mainland.
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He said many of the projects are being carried out without environmental impact assessment (EIA) approval and drainage clearance from the ministry.
“While reclamation may provide space for housing and infrastructure development, it also poses significant environmental and social risks, including increased flooding, coastal erosion, disruption of livelihoods (especially fishing), loss of wetlands and biodiversity, constriction of the lagoons, and impairment of water quality,” the statement reads.
The commissioner said all approved reclamation projects must be submitted for documentation and monitoring, while ongoing and new projects must undergo the EIA process with clearance from the ministry.
The commissioner warned that developers who fail to comply with the suspension order within seven days risk arrest and prosecution.
Wahab added that the government would also move to decommission reclaimed sites by excavating sand-filled areas and reopening blocked water channels.
“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,” he added.
“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.”
