LASG MOVES TO SANITIZE IKEJA GRA OF ENVIRONMENTAL INFRACTIONS

…As Exco of the Ikeja GRA Residents Association (IGRARA) meets HC Environment to seek government’s intervention

The Lagos State Government in collaboration with the Executives of the Ikeja GRA Residents Association is set to sanitize the area and free it from various Environmental infractions.

Addressing the executives and residents during a meeting at Alausa on Thursday, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources Mr. Tokunbo Wahab said residents of the area must prioritize the state of their environment by being observant and protective.

The Commissioner while responding to some of the Estate Executives complaints frowned at the alarming rate at which the highbrow areas was being defaced, adding that identified environmental Infractions were capable of causing grave danger to the community.

He called for strict adherence to Lagos State Environmental laws regarding waste management, noise pollution and approved master plan of government for the area.

In a response to the various Infractions highlighted by the Executives ranging from poor waste management, street trading, Noise pollution, Abandoned and Uncompleted building amongst others, Wahab said the State Government had repeatedly warned against actions that abuse its provisions of its laws and are capable of compounding the challenge of Environmental management in the state.

“My theory is very simple, If you have laws and you cannot enforce these laws, it’s as good as you have no laws: It is not the course of your narrative or your division that matters; It is how you’re able to enforce your laws without fearing who’s ox is gored” he said.

He also observed with dismay the proliferation of commercial centres, Nite clubs in various streets in the area, adding that all these are contributors to noise pollution in the area.

“Every night club must have a noise proof or soundproof wall; Even if you have that, there’s a level of decibel you can’t exceed; noise above the approved noise levels contravens the provisions of the environmental noise
regulations as contained in the Lagos State Environmental Laws; and so we have to go in and enforce.” He said.

He also frowned at the increased rate of street traders hawking on streets in and around the Estate instructing the Officials of Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) to enforce the law against street trading by arresting the Environmental Offenders in accordance to the Law.

“For street trading, we have to resume full enforcement again; some people are very emotional, and they get angry when we enforce; but they forget that there’s a law; I didn’t make the law; There is a law against street trading, and if we can’t enforce it in the GRA, we can’t enforce anywhere in the state” he said.

He stressed that the situation in which property owners in the area are allowed to indiscriminately convert residential areas to commercial use was not acceptable adding that many abandoned and uncompleted buildings exists in the area and this pose a major security threat that must be dealt with accordingly.

In the area of flood control, Wahab mentioned that from the Master plan that established Ikeja GRA, the design never included drainage system saying the estate was meant to comprise a few houses that will discharge storm water in a sloping way and collected by the main collector.

He said the estate has deviated from the Masterplan and this is a major contributor to flooding issues experienced in some parts of the Area, adding that Government will work with the Ministry of Physical Planning to address the issue.

“If somewhere is meant to have 10 houses and you choose to put 1,000 houses, we have effectively created crisis; It’s beyond the environment; when you have destroyed the major ecosystem, and then we start chasing it” he said.

The Commissioner, who affirmed the commitment of the government to attain a clean, healthy, livable and sustainable environment added that residents must cooperate and align with government to ensure the success for good of all.

He said that the State Government would not rest on its oars in ensuring that Lagosians inculcate the habit of respecting and taking care of their immediate environment as doing so is our collective responsibility.

In response, the Chairman of the Ikeja GRA Residents Association (IGRARA) Dr. Muiz Banire thanked the Lagos State Government for its support in combating all the infractions highlighted and ensuring that Ikeja GRA and its Environs remained healthier and safe.

He pledged that his association would cooperate with the State Government to stop all action capable of degrading the Environment.

The meeting had in attendance the Permanent Secretary Office of Environmental Services Gaji Omobolaji Tajudeen and the Permanent Secretary Office of Drainage Services, Engr Mahamood Adegbite as well as other Directors in the Ministry.

 

Signed
Kunle Adeshina
Director Public Affairs
MOE&WR
17th April 2026.