Lagos State government will demolish Jankara and Bombata markets on Lagos Island to allow for free water flow into the drains, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said on Sunday.

Mr Sanwo-Olu noted that many illegal structures erected in the markets had blocked the drainage channels, causing flooding. He added that human activities had negatively impacted the areas.

“There will be zero-tolerance, and as from Monday, the Ministry of Environment will start giving demolition notices to all the stores that have been built on the drains and on all existing drains.

“They have built shops on all the drains, and that is why we are having these problems of flooding and environmental pollution.

“We cannot let a few people risk the lives of the larger number of us,’’ Mr Sanwo-Olu said after a drainage and regeneration tour of Lagos Island.

He stressed that the markets must give way to allow for urban regeneration and to end perennial flooding in the area.

The governor told all illegal squatters and those involved in illegal activities that the government would take and clean up the markets as it enforced its zero tolerance for unlawful environmental activities.

Mr Sanwo-Olu also observed that Pelewura Market was currently harbouring many illegal squatters.

“We are going to give them adequate notice, and we are going to work with our concessionaires, the local government and all the stakeholders will be brought on board.

“We will all agree as to when that demolition and evacuation will start.

“I have given them the first notice already, and I will give them the opportunity as stakeholders, for us to know when that final demolition will take place,’’ Mr Sanwo-Olu said.

The governor also noted that Idumagbo Avenue Road, which was once well-built, had failed because of activities in markets in the area.

He affirmed that the tour offered him the opportunity to establish what the issues were and to evolve lasting solutions to them.

He said the solution would begin from Ilubinrin Pump Station as the government had been on the project for almost two years because of the depth of work to be done.

Mr Sanwo-Olu explained that the government would start an assessment of Idumagbo Avenue, Ojo Giwa and Adeniji Adele Road.

He cautioned residents of the areas against blocking the drains, noting that their way of life and behaviour contributed to the problem.

(NAN)