The Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development has sealed off all unapproved buildings in the Magodo wetland in the Ikosi-Isheri Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of the state.

The state government had decried the spate of unapproved housing developments in the Magodo green belt.

During an on-the-spot assessment of the area on Tuesday, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Idris Salako, said buildings in the wetland were structurally unstable as they were either tilting or cracking, and ordered their sealing off.

He stated that the move was to guard against the abuse of green belts, gorges, water bodies, wetlands and other vulnerable natural landscapes in the state.

The ministry’s Assistant Director, Public Affairs, Mukaila Sanusi, said in a statement that Salako was accompanied by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Urban Development, Ganiyu Ayuba; Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Foluso Dipe; General Manager, Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority, Funmi Oshifuye; General Manager, Lagos State Building Control Agency, Biola Kosegbe; and General Manager, New Towns Development Authority, Kunle Aboyeji.

The statement read in part,

The Lagos State Government has restated its policy of zero tolerance for illegal physical developments as the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr Idris Salako, carried out an assessment visit to the Magodo wetland on Tuesday.

During the visit, the commissioner observed the state of development in the wetland, where some buildings were either tilting or showing cracks, among other signs, raising questions about their integrity.

Salako reiterated that the ministry, being responsible for the maintenance of orderly, liveable and sustainable environment in the state, would continue to implement the zero tolerance policy for all illegal physical developments, including encroachment on sensitive ecological zones.

He explained that this move became imperative to preserve and guard against the misuse and abuse of all green belts, gorges, water bodies, wetlands and other vulnerable natural landscapes in every part of the state.

He assured Lagosians that the ministry would continue to be at the forefront of efforts to enhance the sustainability of the environment by maintaining the studious application of the state policies and operative development plans.

As a result, he directed the sealing off of all unapproved developments in the wetland.

Justin Nwosu

Justin Nwosu is the founder and publisher of Flavision. His core interest is in writing unbiased news about Nigeria in particular and Africa in general. He’s a strong adherent of investigative journalism, with a bent on exposing corruption, abuse of power and societal ills.