The Lagos State Government has given a 48-hour notice to property owners and squatters along the Gbagada Bariga Channel to vacate the area, citing illegal structures and obstruction of the drainage channel.
The channel, which serves as a floodway for Bariga, Gbagada, Sholuyi, and surrounding communities, has been taken over by squatters and property owners who have built structures that block the free flow of water, causing flooding and security risks.
According to the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, on X said the shanties erected along the channel have blocked stormwater collectors, leading to the flooding experienced in the area.
He said, “Lagos State government @followlasg gives property owners who built illegal structures and squatters along Gbagada Bariga Channel a 48-hour vacation notice.
“The drainage channel which defloods Bariga, Gbagada, Sholuyi downstream communities and environs, and discharges into System 1 has been taken over by squatters who has constituted nuisance and security risks to the Estate, and property owners who deliberately built to obstruct free flow of water in the area.
“Shanties were erected along the length of the channel and their activities had blocked collectors that are supposed to carry stormwater into the Channel which resulted to the flooding experienced during the week.
“Upon expiration of the notices served, the operatives of Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources @LasgMOE will commence removal of those contravening structures in order to deflood the area.”
