The Lagos State Government has warned construction sites against placing building materials on roads and drainage channels, threatening sanctions against defaulters.

The government also reiterated its commitment to removing illegal structures erected on rights of way, warning that violators would face consequences.

The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, issued the warning while leading ministry officials on an inspection tour of ongoing projects in Central Lagos, including the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) transfer loading station on Simpson Street and Victoria Garden City (VGC), Ajah.

Wahab said construction sites found violating environmental regulations would be shut down and fined for forcing the government to deploy resources to address their infractions.

“We have made it clear that construction sites responsible for these violations will be stopped and made to pay penalties for forcing the government to deploy resources to address their infractions,” he said.

The commissioner said the state would continue removing illegal structures, urging media practitioners to suggest stricter measures to strengthen enforcement.

“We have to keep carrying out these removals. If you have other suggestions for stricter measures, please share them with us,” he said.

Wahab added that the government routinely prosecuted offenders, stressing that its approach focused on ensuring violations of existing laws and regulations carried consequences.

“That is our mantra. If we have regulations and laws, what distinguishes us from developed countries is our willingness to attach consequences to bad behaviour,” he said.

He explained that Lagos’ growing population, with residents arriving from different cultural backgrounds, made effective regulation and registration necessary.

The commissioner cited the Lagos State Residents Registration Agency (LASRRA) as part of the government’s efforts to register residents and improve its ability to account for the state’s population.

On waste management, Wahab said the state was moving toward a system that treats waste as a resource rather than collecting and disposing of it.

He said the government was working to strengthen waste management infrastructure, including deploying trucks, material recovery facilities, and transfer loading stations.

“We are almost there. The trucks have been shipped, while material recovery facilities and transfer loading stations are ongoing,” he said.

Wahab explained that the inspection team made an unscheduled visit to the LAWMA transfer loading station on Simpson Street to assess operations and obtain first-hand information on the facility’s activities.

He said the ministry would conduct regular, unannounced visits to agencies under its supervision to monitor performance and assess progress on ongoing projects.

According to him, the ministry received a briefing from the agency’s executive director and head of operations on its infrastructure and implementation plans.

The team also inspected infrastructure being developed as part of efforts to regenerate Lagos Island, including facilities from Drop-in Extension One to Four.

Wahab said officials examined equipment at work and issued directives to intensify preparations ahead of the next rainy season.

At VGC, Ajah, the team received petitions about unusual flooding and considered measures to address it.

The commissioner also appealed to residents to bear with the government over the inconvenience caused by rehabilitation works on the Lekki-Epe Expressway.

He said the project was being executed in phases to minimise disruption to residents, businesses and property. (The Nation)