The Lagos government starts tearing down unlawful buildings at Oko Oba Abattoir due to drainage issues.
As part of a larger environmental cleanup initiative, the Lagos State Government has started demolishing unlawful structures at the Oko Oba Abattoir in Agege, with a particular emphasis on encroachments constructed along drainage setbacks.
Tokunbo Wahab, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, made the announcement on Monday on his official X (formerly Twitter) account.
The statement claims that the activity was conducted by Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC) personnel, who demolished unpermitted buildings that blocked areas intended for the unhindered passage of stormwater and abattoir waste.
According to authorities, the goal of the operation was to improve hygiene, reduce public health hazards, and restore order.
“Operators of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps @LAGESCOfficial began removing illegal structures built on drainage setback inside Oko Oba Abattoir as part of a clean-up exercise,” Wahab’s tweet stated.
This most recent action comes after the Oko Oba Abattoir was closed indefinitely last week for a number of environmental infractions and unsanitary practices. Commissioner Tokunbo Wahab announced the shutdown following an impromptu facilities inspection.
Wahab claims that the inspection found unsettling conditions, such as people sleeping in cattle enclosures and the careless disposal of animal feces into public sewers.
The Oko Oba Abattoir is one of the largest meat processing hubs in Lagos, serving hundreds of butchers and meat traders daily. Its closure, along with the ongoing cleanup, forms part of broader efforts by the state government to enforce public health regulations and improve the urban environment.
- In recent months, the Lagos State Government has ramped up enforcement activities across markets, abattoirs, and other public facilities that fail to meet sanitation and safety standards. Officials have emphasized that these interventions are not punitive, but part of sustained efforts to promote sustainable practices and safeguard public health.
- Commissioner Wahab announced plans to resume the monthly environmental sanitation exercise earlier in June. Once a common occurrence in the state, the program seeks to reduce careless rubbish disposal and promote a cleaner city.
The administration recently announced harsher punishments for unlawful dumping and littering in a related development. Repeat offenders now risk heavier penalties, with fines of up to N250,000 or a jail sentence of up to three months. Wahab clarified that such practices, especially the disposal of rubbish in setbacks, medians, or sewers, exacerbate flooding, jeopardize public health, and detract from the general aesthetics of the city. - Join our WhatsApp community
Join Our Social Media Channels:
WhatsApp: NaijaEyes
Facebook: NaijaEyes
Twitter: NaijaEyes
Instagram: NaijaEyes
TikTok: NaijaEyes
