Built environment professionals have criticised the Lagos State Government’s decision to suspend all land reclamation projects across the state, warning that the move could undermine investor confidence and disrupt the ease of doing real estate business.
The state government, through Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, had recently ordered the suspension of all reclamation works in wetlands, floodplains and lagoon areas, regardless of whether they had obtained Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) approvals or drainage clearance.
The directive, which takes immediate effect, mandates all developers to submit their projects for documentation and monitoring.
Non-compliance within seven days will attract sanctions, including site decommissioning, excavation of reclaimed areas, reopening of blocked waterways and possible prosecution.
Reacting to the order, former president of the Association of Town Planning Consultants of Nigeria (ATOPCON), Muyiwa Adelu, described the blanket suspension as investor-unfriendly.
He warned that developers who had already secured approvals and invested heavily in land, construction and infrastructure could suffer major financial losses.
“This action sends a wrong signal to investors who rely on government approvals.
The government should have been more specific, targeting illegal or non-compliant projects rather than suspending all,” Adelu said.
Similarly, former Lagos chairman of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners, Tayo Awomosu, faulted the government for what he called a policy reversal.
He argued that decisions should align with the Lagos Master Plan and model city plans to ensure consistency.
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