AN END TO IMPUNITY

Building regulations and urban planning have become imperative in Lagos State, writes James Fakale

In the last few weeks, the government of Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu has increased the tempo of enforcement of extant environmental and physical planning laws for the collective survival of the state. Governor Sanwo-Olu who is committed to the mega city plan of Lagos, has not relented in ensuring that sanity is maintained in the state.

The government under the ministry of Environment has been very hard on residents who are contravening environmental laws, and defiants who dared the laws by erecting permanent structures on the right of way of canals, and other drainages. The reclamation of setbacks and alignments on water channels had started without minding whose ox is gored. 

Lagos, a coastal city with a vast body of water, is often prone to flooding due to its geography. However, successive governments have been very proactive in wading off threats by clearing canals, water drainages both primary, secondary and tertiary water drainages. Despite all the efforts, some residents are hell bent on sabotaging the efforts through their activities that are inimical to the environment.

Critics are often quick to lambast the government when the city is submerged in flood, they heap the blame on the leaders at the helm of affairs without interrogating unhealthy human activities that exacerbate the crisis.  Strangely, when the government deals decisively with those causing nuisance that put the entire city in peril, they are also quick to attack the government of insensitivity.

The case in context is the ongoing demolition of structures erected on water channels in the Ikota area of Lekki in Lagos. Emotions ran high when the Honourable commissioner of Environment in Lagos State, Hon. Tokunbo Wahaab, acting on the directive of the governor moved into the area to remove nuisances causing pains and havoc whenever it rains in Lekki and the adjourning communities, including Gedegede area in Lekki Phase 2.

According to the government, owners of the affected buildings have been served notices severally in the last 20 years. It was gathered that when the buildings were at foundation level in the year 2020, the government had issued warnings to owners not to erect structures on the waterways.

This renewed drive for environmental sanity came on the heels of the one-week quit notice issued by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to people who have illegally constructed buildings, shops and market stalls on drainages across the state.

Speaking with the media at the site of the demolition, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, who was represented by the Director of Drainage of Enforcement and Compliance, Mahmood Adegbite, reiterated the commitment of the Sanwo-Olu administration to environmental and physical planning laws of Lagos.

He said, “They however proved recalcitrant and rebuffed all measures suggested by the government to prevent flooding, sandfilled the setback of the channel preparatory to constructing more structures. The act of impunity must be curtailed for Lagos to be habitable for all. Government has the responsibility of protecting the overall interests of all citizens at all times. That is what the government of Sanwo-Olu has been championing since it took the reins of power in 2019.

One of the key areas of his administration as espoused in the THEME agenda is physical planning and environmental sustainability. On this score, the government has prioritised urban renewal projects and developments of critical infrastructure that will enable greater prosperity of citizens. Roads construction and rehabilitation, bridge construction and traffic decongestion, expansion of access to rural communities and farmlands for greater food security. The government is also keen on waste management and encourages green spaces in line with global best practice.

Lagos under Sanwo-Olu has experienced tremendous improvements in all the critical sectors. Aside from issues in the environment, traffic management and transportations are other sectors where the governor has done well. Intermodal transport system thrives in Lagos. Lagosians have mobility options of trains, boats, taxis, mini-buses and mass transit buses. Also, Sanwo-Olu’s administration worked on various strategies to improve transportation, including the expansion of the bus rapid transit routes. 

Building regulations and urban planning have become imperative in light of the rapid population growth in Lagos State and attendant pressure on public infrastructure and other amenities. Therefore, the government of Sanwo-Olu should be applauded for enforcing building codes and urban planning regulations more strictly.  There is a need for all construction activities and players in the built environment to adhere to specified, acceptable standards, thereby reducing the menace of illegal structures and enhancing the overall urban environment.

The opportunities in the marine economy of Lagos are massive. The coastal assets of Lagos are also being harnessed for the benefit of all citizens of Lagos State. Emphasis is sustainable waterfront development and the regulation of activities along the coastline.

In the area of public health and sanitation, Governor Sanwo-Olu administration worked towards improving public health and sanitation in Lagos State. The efforts include provision of water and waste management. Lagos residents should show understanding with the governor of Lagos State on this mission to restore Lagos back on the path of sanity.

The antecedence of the governor in over four years he has been in the saddle speaks to his great plans for Lagos. He is a pan-Nigerian who has had interactions across cultures and languages. False alarmists who are reading ethnic agenda into the ongoing removal of illegal structures constructed on waterways need to be cautioned. No amount of blackmail and false narratives can derail the visionary leadership of Babajide Sanwo-Olu in Lagos State.

This development should also be an eye-opener to anyone who wants to invest in real estate in Lagos. The maxim should be to investigate before investing.  Not every available space is meant for residential or commercial property development. Setbacks and drainage alignments should be respected at all times.

 Fakale writes from Lagos