I was keenly interested in the conversations that erupted yesterday, when Officials from Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources served final demolition notices on properties in Cluster 1, Lekki County Estate, Ikota GRA & Megamond Estate within Lekki Phase2 -Ikota Drainage channel.
But, to think people want properties to simply remain along water drains and canals because of sentiment is damaging to the environment which in turn have an adverse effect on the general public. The glorification of government’s negligence in addressing issues around environment being shrouded with our respective biases is unsustainable.
In what has been reported in some quarters to be a case of witch-hunting, Lagosians whose lives and properties are affected by the rising cases of flooding activities in the state are commending Mr. Tokunbo Wahab who leads the hardworking Ministry of Environment and Water resources.
While it is so sad that these properties will go down, it is also very important to ensure those who gave the approval have their licences revoked, suspended from practice and those who have retired be denied some of their benefits. Those who are part of facilitating kangaroo approval should never be allowed to go scot-free as it has been the norm that allowed the construction of buildings along and around canals, and waterways.
However, it is important to note that anybody who’s affected with “genuine” approval to proceed with his construction have a good ground for reallocation and compensation by seeking court redress.
