The Lagos State government has issued a 48-hour vacation notice to property owners who built illegal structures and squatters along Gbagada Bariga Channel.

This is part of the measures to prevent flooding in the state.

Disclosing this on X, the state Commissioner of Water and Environment, Tokunbo Wahab, said the drainage channel which defloods Bariga, Gbagada, Sholuyi downstream communities and environs, and discharges into System 1 has been taken over by squatters who has constituted nuisance and security risks to the  Estate, and property owners who deliberately built to obstruct free flow of water in the area.

According to Wahab, shanties were erected along the length of the channel and their activities had blocked collectors that are supposed to carry stormwater into the Channel which resulted in the flooding experienced during the week.

He added that upon expiration of the notices served, the operatives of Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources will commence removal of those contravening structures in order to deflood the area.