By John Ogunsemore
The Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Hon. Tokunbo Wahab, has refuted claims that the ministry demanded money from owners of properties demolished at Oral Estate for encroaching on the Right of Way of the Ikota River.
The commissioner’s rebuttal is contained in a statement shared on X on Sunday.
In May, Wahab disclosed that the state government had marked 39 buildings in Eti-Osa Local Government Area for demolition over encroachment on the Right of Way of the Ikota River.
He further disclosed that indefinite quit notices had been issued to occupants of the buildings slated for demolition within Oral Extension Estate, Westend Estate, and Mega Mond Estate in the Lekki axis of the state.
On September 26, the commissioner confirmed commencement of enforcement action.
Victims on Tuesday took to social media to share videos of several duplexes and buildings being pulled down by operatives of the Drainage Enforcement and Compliance Department of the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources.
One of the victims claimed that the operatives demanded N1 billion to halt the enforcement action and the sum was negotiated to N700 million.
However, Wahab vehemently denied the allegation, which he described as “false and malicious”.
The commissioner said, “My attention has been drawn to a circulating video containing false and malicious allegations that the Ministry demanded money from property owners to pause the ongoing removal of structures on drainage setbacks at Oral Estate, Ikota.
“I must state categorically that these claims are entirely false and a deliberate attempt to blackmail the government.
“Neither I nor any official from the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources has neither ever requested nor received any payment, whether ₦1 billion, ₦700 million, or a single kobo, from any property owner.”
The commissioner maintained that the operation to clear the Right of Way and Setbacks to different channels, and canals of illegal obstructions is a public safety imperative, and it has not been paused for any form of negotiation or payment.
“Our work continues,” he added.
He disclosed that the state government would be pursuing legal action against the individual that made the claim.
“This propaganda is a dangerous distraction from our critical mission to prevent flooding and protect the majority of Lagosians.
“We take these defamatory allegations with the utmost seriousness.
“We shall be pursuing this matter legally, and the individual behind these claims will be required to provide proof to the appropriate authorities.”
