The Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources (MOE&WR) has observed with grave concern the proliferation of reclamation activities on Wetlands, Floodplains and the Lagoons across the State, particularly around Parkview, Banana Island, Osborne and other parts of Ikoyi, Victoria Island Extension, Lekki, Ajah, Oworonshoki, Lagos Mainland, Ikorodu, Ojo and Badagry axis, without consideration of the adverse Impacts on the Environment and the Wellbeing and Safety of the good people of the State.

These indiscriminate Reclamation projects are being executed without requisite Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Approvals and Drainage Clearance from this Ministry.

While reclamation may provide space for Housing and Infrastructure development, it also poses significant Environmental and Social risks including increased vulnerability to flooding, coastal erosion, disruption of livelihood (especially fishing), loss of wetlands and biodiversity, constriction of the Lagoons and their capacity, impairment of water quality amongst others.

With the low-lying topography of the State and its fragile ecosystem, the State Government cannot afford to allow this indiscriminate reclamation of the Lagoons, Wetlands and floodplains to continue unabated.

Consequently, the Ministry is by this Notice directing all Reclamation Projects across the State with or without EIA approval and Drainage Clearance to be SUSPENDED IMMEDIATELY.

All approved Reclamation Projects across the State must be submitted for proper

Documentation and Monitoring, while all on-going and intending ones must be subjected to the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process with issuance of Approval Letter and Drainage Clearance from the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources.

Failure to comply with this directive within the next 7 DAYS after this publication shall leave the Ministry with no other option than to deploy APPROPRIATE machineries to decommission the reclaimed sites including excavation and removal of fill, reconnecting of already blocked water channels on the Lagoon and the arrest and prosecution of anyone involved and or found on the site of the illegality.

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!

Signed:

Mr Tokunbo Wahab

Honourable Commissioner,

Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources,

Lagos State.

President Bola Tinubu has lifted the emergency rule imposed in Rivers State.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the president directed Siminalayi Fubara, the suspended governor, to return to office on Thursday, September 18.

Tinubu also instructed Ngozi Nma Odu, the deputy governor, along with members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, to resume their official responsibilities.

The state had been under emergency rule for the past six months.

More to come…

Chairman’s Speech

I am shattered by yesterday’s devastating incident at Afriland Towers that took the lives of our dear colleagues.

No words can capture the magnitude of this loss — not for their families who loved them, not for the friends who valued them, and not for those of us who worked beside them.

Yesterday was a stark reminder of what truly matters: our irreplaceable people, those who walk through our doors each day and share our mission.

I learnt of this on my way to the US, enroute to New York for UNGA. I have cut short my trip to return to Lagos as a mark of respect to our lost colleagues.

As we navigate this grief, I urge you all to reach out to those who are receiving care.

In the coming days, we will convene colleagues in a memorial to honour the memories of the departed, as we provide support to their families.

I also want to thank all those who supported in one way or the other, from emergency responders and first aid workers to members of the public who showed courage and compassion.

A minute’s silence will be observed today at12:00 noon, WAT, across all our group companies.

May this never happen again in our Group. May the souls of the departed rest in perfect peace.