By Aduragbemi Omiyale

The Lagos State government has announced that all reclamation projects on wetlands, floodplains and the lagoons across the state without Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and drainage clearance should be suspended with immediate effect.

The Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, announced this in a statement on Thursday.

He listed the most affected areas to be Parkview, Banana Island, Osborne and other parts of Ikoyi, Victoria Island Extension, Lekki, Ajah, Oworonshoki, Lagos Mainland, Ikorodu, Ojo and Badagry axis.

Mr Wahab said most of these reclamation projects were being executed without requisite EIA approvals and drainage clearance from the government, especially his ministry.

According to him, while reclamation may provide space for housing and infrastructure development, it also poses significant environmental and social risks, including increased vulnerability to flooding, coastal erosion, disruption of livelihood (especially fishing), loss of wetlands and biodiversity, constriction of the Lagoons and their capacity, impairment of water quality amongst others.

He noted that with the low-lying topography of the metropolis, and its fragile ecosystem, the state government could not afford to allow this indiscriminate reclamation of the Lagoons, Wetlands and floodplains to continue unabated.

He declared that all approved Reclamation Projects across the State must be submitted for proper documentation and monitoring, while all on-going and intending ones must be subjected to EIA process with issuance of approval letter and drainage clearance from the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources.

The Commissioner warned that failure to comply with this directive within the next seven days after this notice “shall leave the Ministry with no other option than to deploy appropriate machineries to decommission the reclaimed sites, including excavation and removal of fill, reconnecting of already blocked water channels on the Lagoon and the arrest and prosecution of anyone involved and or found on the site of the illegality.”

Bon Peters

In less than three months, the Area 5 Ibeto Seaport and Terminal Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State generated about N4.2 billion.

The Area Controller of the Command, Comptroller UM Abubakar, confirmed this to newsmen on Wednesday, attributing this to the blockage of revenue leakages and trade facilitations.

The customs officer was drafted to the new command less than three months ago. Operations commenced at the command on July 3, 2025, thanking the leadership of the agency for the confidence reposed on her.

She said in July, the command earned N1.371 billion and in August, it generated N1.953 billion and as of September 12, 2025, it generated N859.9 million.

“This remarkable growth in such a short time underscores the huge potential of Ibeto Command and the commitment of all stakeholders,” she stated.

“As with every new establishment, our journey began with challenges;”setting up offices and systems from scratch, navigating legacy overlaps with Area I Command, managing infrastructure and welfare gaps for officers,” Mrs Abubakar said.

However, she thanked all stakeholders for their support, saying, “This collective spirit is the true engine behind the milestones we celebrate today.”

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Chairman of Afriland Properties Plc, Mr Tony Elumelu, has extended condolences to staff and families of workers who died in Tuesday’s Afriland Towers fire, describing the tragedy as a devastating loss.

The building, which houses a UBA branch, United Capital, Avon, Afriland Properties Plc, Heirs Insurance, and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), was ravaged by fire two days ago.

A source told Business Post that the fire started at the Afriland office, but couldn’t immediately disclose the cause or number of casualties.

The development has sparked reactions, from many lamenting the absence of safe evacuation procedures.

In a statement, Mr Elumelu, expressed sadness at the losses.

“I am shattered by Tuesday’s incident at Afriland Towers which claimed the lives of our colleagues,” Mr Elumelu said, expressing grief and acknowledging the depth of the loss.

“No words can capture the magnitude of this loss — not for their families, their friends, nor those of us who worked beside them.

“Tuesday was a stark reminder of what truly matters: our irreplaceable people who walk through our doors each day and share our mission.

“I learnt of this on my way to the US, en route to New York for the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

“I have cut short my trip to return to Lagos as a mark of respect to our lost colleagues. Please reach out to those receiving care,” he said.

Mr Elumelu, also Chairman of Heirs Holdings, announced that a memorial would be held in honour of the deceased and to support their grieving families, thanking emergency responders, first aid workers, members of the public, and others who displayed courage and compassion during the fire incident.

In a related development, the FIRS mourned the death of four staff members who lost their lives in the fire.

Mr Dare Adekanmbi, Special Adviser on Media to FIRS Chairman, Mr Zacch Adedeji, listed the victims as Assistant Directors Mrs Ekelikhostse George and Mr David Sunday-Jatto. Others were Mrs Nkem Onyemelukwe, Senior Manager, and Mr Peter Ifaranmaye, Manager. All were working at FIRS offices on the sixth and seventh floors of the affected property.

Mr Adekanmbi said the management and staff of FIRS were plunged into deep mourning and grief following the tragic loss of their colleagues.

“It is with a heavy heart that FIRS announces the loss of four staff members during the Afriland Towers fire on Tuesday.

“Our Security and Safety officials quickly mobilised and contacted the fire service. On arrival, thick dark smoke was already billowing out of the building,” he said.

According to him, management and staff are in deep shock and extend condolences to the families and friends of the deceased.

He praised the departed colleagues for their dedication and professionalism, pledging support to their families and grieving co-workers.

“We are working with relevant agencies in Lagos to establish the root cause of the incident while reviewing safety measures across all FIRS offices nationwide,” he said.