By Akinwale Kasali
Lagos State Government has said it remains unperturbed by the condemnation that has trailed the demolition of illegal buildings on drainages and canals.
It stated that it won’t rescind its decision to reclaim the drainage right of way within the seven-metre setback despite reported threats and propaganda from some quarters in the State.
The Commissioner of Environment, Tokunbo Wahab, said that the State Government is unbothered with the threats flying around, stressing that a seven-day contravention notice had been issued to the owners of the buildings whose structures encroached the seven-meter drainage setback on Orchid Road., Agungi, Ajiran, Conservation Road, Osapa, and Oral Estate II along the Ikota River in the Lekki area of the State.
The State Government said the contravention notice was issued following several stop-work notices served on the owners of the structures before stressing that the “enforcement will commence” upon expiration of the deadline.
This clampdown reportedly raised a lot of concerns with claims that the Government was targeting certain ethnic groups, especially on social media.
Reacting to this claim on his X handle, @Tokunbo_Wahab, on Thursday, the Commissioner insisted that the Government would no longer allow a breakdown of the law and “anyhowness” in the State.
“We are not going to bow to any propaganda, blackmail, or threat. No one can break the law and still benefit from it. The law will take its course. The era of ‘anyhowness’ is completely over!” Wahab stated.
There are insinuations that the demolition exercise is mainly targeted at the Igbo. But the State Government strongly denies it.
