Lagos State Environment Update

11/03/2024

19/02/2024

LAGESC Arrest 17 Miscreants for Obstruction on Bolade Pedestrian Bridge
... Styrofoam Enforcement to be activated from Monday

Following the recent enforcement operation undertaken by the Lagos Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC) popularly known as KAI to dislodge miscreants and criminals identified to cause recurrent obstruction to Lagos residents in transit which resultingly discourages the appropriate use of bridges for pedestrian safety, the Agency apprehended 16 miscreants found laying siege on the Bolade Pedestrian Bridge on Monday.

The Corps Marshal of the Agency, Major Olatunbosun Olaniyi Cole (Rtd) made this disclosure, citing the recalcitrant nature of these criminals in the habit of lurking around pedestrian bridges with intent to dispossess pedestrians of valuables. According to him, ‘we have read the riot act to these miscreants and it is important to note that there is no hiding place for them because any hindrance identified as a threat to pedestrians’ safety on bridges will be met with stiff opposition and consequences’’.

Cole further revealed that the collaborative efforts of the Taskforce Chairman, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Oshodi Branch A, Comrade Ibrahim Olasheu and Baba Oja of Oshodi-Bolade, Mr. Sanni Afeez Olanrewaju resulted in the arrest of the miscreants. He revealed the names of the suspects which include, Ibrahim Bashiru, M, 29, Ogun, Bolaji Kolawole M, 19, Osun, Wisdom Effiong, M, 23, Anambra, Adewale Ismail, M, 27, Ibadan, Shina Ade, M, 27, Oyo, Olorunwa Olorundare, M, 27, Ogun, Samuel Olujide, M, 15, Abeokuta, Ayodele Oladimeji, M, 27, Ibadan, Olawale Ibrahim, M, 24, Ogun, Adeniran Gabriel, M, 27, Ogun, Paul Ifeanyi, M, 19, Anambra, Sharafa Rafiu, M, 24, Ibadan, Ibrahim Kabir, M, 19, Kaduna, Mutiu Alabi, M, 18, Ibadan, Aruna Raji, M, 21, Osun, Oluremi Ayo, M, 30, Oyo and Hamzat Fawaz, M, 13, Ibadan.

He also reiterated the resolve of the Agency to secure valuable collaborations to uphold the THEMES+ agenda of Mr. Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu which is geared towards making Lagos habitable for business via the promotion of general environmental cleanliness in the State.

Stressing the marching orders of the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab to commence the enforcement drive against sellers, buyers and users of Styrofoam on Monday, the KAI Head re-echoed the directive to defaulters to either comply or risk outright confiscation of these harmful materials causing irredeemable damage to Lagos residents and the environment.

Underscoring the need for residences in Lagos to desist from discharging their sewage into the gutters, drains and canals, the Corps Marshal revealed that any defaulting property caught in the act will be sealed, mandated to rectify their errors and face the full wrath of the law.

Monday, 19th of February, 2024

19/02/2024

In order to make the pedestrian bridges across Lagos safe for pedestrians, operatives of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (KAI), this morning, resumes clearing of miscreants squatting inside Oshodi pedestrian bridges.

14/01/2024

The phrase "No Gree For Anybody" essentially encourages people to reject any form of nonsense or resist oppression by others. It's an act to reject any form of environmental abuse. 'We No Go Gree For Anybody Wey Won Spoil Lagos'.



Tokunbo Wahab
Tokunbo Wahab

21/12/2023

Honourable Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab taking the 3rd Reading at the ongoing 1st Family of Lagos State 2023 Christmas Carol of Nine Lessons.

Isaiah 9: 1 - 7 (The Promised Child)

10/12/2023

MOE&WR Environmental monitoring and enforcement team on Sunday at Glover road, Turnbull road and Gerrard road in ikoyi to monitor the environment against activities of street traders and shanties on walkways.

08/12/2023

Until the late hours of today, the Honourable Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab was on inspection tour of flood prone areas around Ikoyi axis. He visited Dodan Barracks to inspect the level of compliance on removal of structures blocking the water collector and clearing of the drains. He also visited Shoreline Estate, Parkview Estate, Banana Island and environs to inspect the drainage system and then gave instructions to the enforcement team to serve stop-work notices and removal of illegal structures blocking the drainage systems.

08/12/2023

Basic drainage and physical planning regulations to consider before constructing a building in Lagos State in other to avoid demolition.

07/12/2023

With Commissioner Tokunbo Wahab the new Sheriff in town, just drop refuse anyhow on the streets of Lagos and risk sweeping several kilometres of Lagos roads.

Let's be guided....this is real❗

07/12/2023

Ifelodun Mosque, Children of God Healings Deliverance and Adoration Ministry, City of Testimony Church, Cherubim & Seraphim (Ayo ni), Station of Relief Christ Ministry, Redeemed Christian Church of God (Sanctuary of Favour), Euphoria Night Club, Mainland Leisure View Hotel, House 46 Hotel and Suites, Selino Hotel, Lady B Gold Bar, Da-Villa Hotel, Perch Hotel & Suites, and Avro Supermarket were yesterday sealed by the LasepaOfficial enforcement team over noise pollution and other environmental violations.

30/11/2023

Operatives of Drainage Enforcement and Compliance dept from the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources on Thursday (30/11/2023) issued a STOP WORK ORDER to a developer along System 156 behind Victoria Crest Estate II in Lekki for illegally sandfilling the channel and carrying out reclamation work without any approval from the state.

28/11/2023

Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab 's interview with AriseTV on the ongoing efforts of The Lagos State Government to clear all blocked drainage channels across the state and free the state from incessant flooding to allow the free flow of stormwater.

27/11/2023

After the inspection tour of System 156 and 157 Channel yesterday, we have issued a seven-day contravention notice to owners of buildings lying within the seven metres drainage setback on Orchid Rd, Agungi, Ajiran, Conservation Road, Osapa, Oral Estate II, all along the Ikota River.

We cannot keep lampooning the government for flooding when developers, builders & residents are the main cause of flooding; we shall continue to enforce because that is why laws are made. Without law and order, there cannot be development. Enough of this bad behaviour!

We also visited Chevron Drive, where a stop work order was issued to Gravitas company, owners of Grace Ville Island & Pocket Island.

We urge Lagosians to respect the State Drainage Master Plan to avoid property demolition as there is no going back on the decision of the state to enforce the law and reclaim Drainage setbacks following the expiration of the notices issued.

Tokunbo Wahab
Honourable Commissioner,
Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources.

21/11/2023

Following a petition written by the authorities of Ajara Senior Secondary School, Badagry on indiscriminate and unauthorized commercial activities in front of the school by street traders, I directed an immediate investigation.

The Monitoring, Enforcement and Compliance Department of the Ministry visited the location, investigated and served necessary abatement notices, following expiration of the served abatement of nuisance notices and refusal to comply, MEC operatives moved in on Monday and cleared the frontage of Ajara Senior Grammar School Badagry to restore sanity.

In addition, the operatives also cleared illegal structures and commercial activities on the setbacks of the following schools:
1. Anglican Primary School Ilogbo- Eremi, Badagry.
2. Morogbo Primary School, Morogbo, Badagry
3. Nigerian French Language Village, Badagry

The latest enforcement has become imperative following the discovery that the unwholesome commercial activities within the precinct of the schools are a contributory factor to the rise in truancy, hooliganism and other vices inimical to learners' moral and intellectual development.



Tokunbo Wahab
Honourable Commissioner,
Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources

20/11/2023

In our renewed effort to sanitise school environments across the State, today, I instructed the Special Squad Operatives of Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (KAI) to dislodge street traders and demolish illegal shanties on the perimeter fence of Ategbo Nursery and Primary School ljegun Road, Old garage bus stop, Ijegun.

The Special Squad also undertook enforcement action at the Local Government Primary School, Pako bus stop, Abaranje road, lkotun Lagos State for the same reason. The operation followed the expiration of served statutory notices on clear breaches of the provision of the 2017 Lagos State Environmental Management Planning law as it concerns illegal structures by the perimeter fence/roadside and erecting structures on the drainage alignment.

The enforcement has become expedient following an observed widespread trend that is not only worrisome but very unacceptable in our schools environment which must be tackled headlong.

Tokunbo Wahab,
Commissioner for Environment
Lagos State

19/11/2023

Earlier today, I, in the company of the SA on the Environment, Olakunle Rotimi Akodu, PS, Office of Environmental Services, Dr Gaji Omobolaji and some directors from the Ministry, went on an inspection tour of Dodan Barracks, Norman Williams Rd, the Bucknor Oke-Afa channel in Ejigbo LCDA and Magodo.

We inspected Dodan Barracks/Norman Williams Channel, to ascertain the level of compliance to the enforcement of setback for the secondary collector in that axis as well as to decide how to clear and desilt the blocked collector that has affected the State House. Major cleaning still needs to be done at Norman Williams/ Awolowo Road Channel but the flood situation has reduced drastically. In the new week, equipment would be deployed to the channel to clear it inward the lagoon.

At Amuwo Odofin, we inspected the Sewage treatment Plant that is expected to serve the residents, adding that an issue regarding joint usage of the location has been settled and that Waste Water Agency will take over the facility next week.

In Oke-Afa, it was regrettable to find out that houses were built on the drainage setback and in the process, they closed up the natural path of water but will later turn around to accuse the government of inaction concerning flooding.

Our team also visited the Magodo Wetland site to check the state of the natural wetland in the Estate and instructed that a signpost should be erected there to ward off people who intend to take over and build on the wetland.

We don't want a repeat of what is being experienced at Isheri-Oshun, if such is allowed, what will be experienced will surely be more disastrous compared to what is being experienced in Isheri-Oshun axis now.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu led administration is determined to prevent further loss of lives and properties occasioned by flooding and that has necessitated the continuous reclamation of drainage alignments across the state.

The cooperation of all residents is necessary for a flood-free and sustainable environment as the State government continues to ramp up enforcement operations across the state to restore setbacks and drainage alignments towards preventing flooding.

Tokunbo Wahab
Honourable Commissioner,
Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources.

17/11/2023

The Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources has been inundated with numerous environmental complaints from concerned residents across the State. These grievances primarily pertain to various pressing issues such as flooding, noise pollution, obstruction of walkways by traders, and many others.

As a ministry, we continue to act swiftly upon receiving these vital complaints, and we are fully committed to responding promptly and decisively to restore law and order across the state. As the custodians of the state's environmental well-being, we acknowledge the significance of addressing these concerns with utmost urgency.

Flooding, noise pollution, and the unlawful blockage of walkways represent critical challenges that impact the lives and livelihoods of our citizens. Therefore, the Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources is diligently organizing and implementing a comprehensive action plan to tackle these issues head-on.

This proactive response will involve collaborative efforts among various departments within the Ministry, in conjunction with relevant authorities, to ensure the effective resolution of these environmental challenges. Additionally, public awareness campaigns and stakeholder engagements will be conducted to foster community involvement and adherence to environmental regulations.

The Ministry urges all residents and stakeholders to join hands in this collective endeavour to maintain a clean, safe, and sustainable environment for everyone in Lagos State. Together, we can mitigate these environmental issues and restore the serenity and orderliness of our communities.

It's a Greater Lagos rising and all of us are involved.

- Tokunbo Wahab, Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of the Environment and water resources, Lagos State.