Babatunji Wusu –
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Lagos State warns traders against unauthorized operations beneath critical infrastructures like Idumagbo and Third Mainland Bridges.
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Areas around Oja Oba and Adeniji Adele will no longer tolerate informal trading as flood control projects intensify.
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Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, highlighted progress in flood mitigation during a July 19, 2025 inspection tour.
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The Onikoyi/Turnbull drainage collector, linking Banana Island and Park View Estate, is expected to significantly reduce flooding upon completion.
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Several street-level drains are being expanded to improve water runoff management in flood-prone zones.
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Wahab cautioned that informal trading under cleared bridge areas jeopardizes public safety and infrastructure goals.
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The Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency (LASPARK) plans to convert these zones into regulated green spaces and parks.
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Residents are urged to comply strictly to ensure the success of flood control and resilience initiatives.
Lagos State Government has issued a decisive warning to traders illegally operating beneath vital infrastructures, including the Idumagbo Bridge and the Third Mainland Bridge, particularly around Oja Oba and Adeniji Adele. This directive comes as part of intensified efforts to combat flooding through major drainage and infrastructure developments.
During an inspection on July 19, 2025, Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, noted substantial advancements in flood control initiatives, such as the ongoing construction of the Onikoyi/Turnbull drainage collector. This project, designed to connect Banana Island and Park View Estate, aims to substantially reduce flooding in these upscale areas. Additionally, expansion of several street-level drains is underway to enhance runoff management in flood-prone locations like the Banana Island axis.
However, Wahab expressed concern over the return of unregulated commercial activities beneath cleared bridge zones, emphasizing that such practices endanger public safety and undermine long-term infrastructure goals. He urged strict cessation of all unauthorized trading and stressed that these structures are crucial for flood control, not market activities.
To combat misuse, the Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency (LASPARK) plans to transform these areas into formal green spaces and regulated parks. The commissioner underscored that the success of the state’s resilience and flood control projects depends heavily on public cooperation, urging residents to respect these efforts to protect lives and property.
