The Lagos State Government on Thursday launched a major demolition operation targeting illegal and structurally unsafe buildings at the Trade Fair Complex in Ojo, as part of a renewed effort to enforce physical planning regulations and restore urban order.
The exercise was a coordinated operation involving several key agencies, including the Ministry of Physical Planning, Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), Lagos State Urban Renewal Agency (LASURA), and the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA).
Crackdown on Illegal Structures in Lagos
The move was confirmed by Jubril Gawat, Senior Special Assistant on New Media to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, in a post on X (formerly Twitter). He noted that the operation focused on:
“Illegal developments, structures without statutory approvals, defective buildings, and those erected on road setbacks and drainage channels.”
Security agencies, members of the Lagos State House of Assembly, and officials from the Office of Infrastructure were present to provide support during the demolition.
Reinforcing Lagos Physical Planning Laws
The state government reiterated that the enforcement aligns with its ongoing urban renewal drive and commitment to maintaining safety and order in Lagos neighborhoods.
“The Lagos State Government has begun removal of illegal developments and structures built on critical infrastructure corridors in the Trade Fair Complex, Ojo Local Government Area,” Gawat stated.
The crackdown comes amid growing concerns about unregulated development across the state, often leading to flooding, building collapse, and traffic congestion.
Lagos Halts Land Reclamation Projects Over Environmental Concerns
In a related development, the Lagos State Government last week suspended all land reclamation activities across the state due to escalating environmental risks.
According to the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, the state is alarmed by the spread of unauthorized reclamation projects on wetlands, floodplains, and lagoon areas.
“Lagos’s low-lying topography and fragile ecosystem cannot withstand indiscriminate reclamation activities without grave consequences,” Wahab warned.
High-Risk Areas Identified
The commissioner listed affected areas as Parkview Estate, Banana Island, Osborne Foreshore, Ikoyi, Victoria Island Extension, Lekki, Ajah, Oworonshoki and parts of Ikorodu
Wahab emphasized that many of these projects were being carried out without Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) or proper drainage clearance, raising serious risks of flooding, erosion, and habitat destruction.
