He stated this after his visit, alongside other state officials, to Lekki II Ikota Drainage Channel corridors where structures built on the drainage channel are being demolished for an on-the-spot assessment.
Wahab, who was besieged by pleading occupants and owners of the fully built structures constructed on the drainage setbacks and already marked for demolition, said stopping the demolition exercise at this point would amount to a double standard.
The commissioner added the demolished block of duplexes was on the same drainage setback alignment as the ones yet to be removed and that the State is irrevocably committed to reclaiming its drainage setback and restoring the masterplan.
He explained that it is sad that the state government had to take the very difficult decision to pull down the fully built-up structures to reclaim the drainage setback for the free flow of stormwater in the area.
He stressed that the owners of the structures demolished in Ikota were aware that they had contravened and have had different engagements with the Ministry from 2020 when most of the structures were at foundation levels and several notices were served.
“At Ikota, the level of encroachments is just unimaginable, people have built on the canal path and we resolved that these nuisances cannot be allowed to continue. It just had to stop”. he said.
Wahab said he made it a point of duty to visit the Ikota site once again and personally meet the owners of the structures yet to go down and advise them to vacate the building before the demolition moves to their end because no amount of entreaties will stop the exercise.
“We have gone round and we concluded that all houses on the canal path and on those on the canal itself must be removed and the path recreated to discharge into Ikota River,” he said.
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