GOVT SUSPENDS RECLAMATION PROJECTS ACROSS LAGOS STATE

The Lagos State Government has placed a ban on all ongoing land reclamation operations across the entire state, with or without Environmental Impact Assessment and Drainage Clearance. The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, TOKUNBO WAHAB, said the move followed observation of indiscriminate reclamation activities on wetlands, floodplains and lagoons. WAHAB made particular reference to such activities around Parkview, Banana Island, Osborne and other parts of Ikoyi, as well as Victoria Island Extension, Lekki, Ajah, Oworonshoki, Lagos Mainland, Ikorodu, Ojo and Badagry. In a statement, the Commissioner noted that these indiscriminate reclamation projects were being done without the requisite Environmental Impact Assessment approvals and Drainage Clearance from the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources. He noted while land 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 and loss of wetlands and biodiversity, among others. Following the development, the Commissioner said that all approved reclamation projects across the state must be submitted for proper documentation and monitoring, while all ongoing and intending ones must be backed with approval letter from the ministry.