The Lagos State Government has announced that its investigation found no encroachment on government drainage alignment at Abba Court, Mahogany Close, Osborne Foreshore Phase II Estate in Ikoyi, after residents lodged complaints against the developer.
Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, made the statement during an inspection of drainage and environmental services projects in Oregun, Ojota, Surulere and the Osborne Foreshore Estate. He was accompanied by Permanent Secretaries Mahmood Adegbite (Drainage Services) and Omobolaji Gaji (Environmental Services).
“This is our third time coming to that particular project point, and there are no encroachments. The drainage that is there is not in any way encroaching on our own alignment; it was done to discharge into the Simpson Channel,” said Wahab.
Residents and property owners had accused Kenshad International Limited, led by Chief Ken Ukaoha, of building under high‑tension cables, obstructing drainage channels and deploying unauthorised security personnel. Ukaoha denied the allegations, stating that the site was closed after workers were instructed to stay away following a government circular and that he was in London at the time of the official visit. He also claimed to have personally funded parts of the estate’s drainage infrastructure and maintained that the project had the necessary government approvals.
The investigation also covered other sites. In Oregun, the ministry ordered auto mechanics to vacate properties that had encroached on a natural drainage route known as System One. In Surulere, a petition against construction by the Lagos State Development and Property Corporation was examined; officials measured the site and confirmed that the construction did not encroach on the drainage channel, and that a culvert had been built in accordance with the approved design.
During the inspection, Deputy Governor Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat was kept waiting outside Abba Court for more than 30 minutes after the estate’s gates remained locked. He expressed displeasure over the incident and assured residents that the government would investigate their complaints. The ministry also reiterated its flood‑control strategy, aiming to raise the proportion of flood‑management measures from 75 per cent to 90 per cent by 2027, and urged residents to stop dumping refuse into drainage channels to prevent flash flooding.
<small>Source: Vanguard News — read the original story there.</small>
