Obalende park project to be delivered in 21 weeks, says Lagos commissioner
The Lagos State Government has formally handed over the proposed MTN Yello Park project in Obalende, setting a 21-week timeline for its delivery as part of broader environmental regeneration efforts
The Lagos State Government has formally handed over the proposed MTN Yello Park project in Obalende, setting a 21-week timeline for its delivery as part of broader environmental regeneration efforts across the state.
Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed this during an inspection tour of drainage projects and sanitation infrastructure in Obalende and parts of Lagos Island.
He described the Obalende intervention as a strategic urban renewal effort aimed at transforming a densely occupied space into a modern recreational hub.
“Obalende has been a long time coming. It sits at the heart of what we are trying to do in the use of the environment—how we can compact occupied spaces for proper use and add value,” he said.
According to him, telecommunications giant MTN Group has adopted the location and will redesign it into a modern park equipped with contemporary facilities.
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He added that the adjoining Macgregor Canal would also be rehabilitated as part of the project.
Wahab explained that while transport operators currently occupying parts of the site would be temporarily relocated, the government had reached an understanding with them to minimise disruption.
“They have engaged the transporters and reached an agreement. There will be no permanent displacement, but some temporary inconvenience is inevitable. They will be relocated briefly and returned once work progresses. You can’t make an omelette without breaking eggs,” he said.
The commissioner also inspected public toilet facilities in the area, noting that the state was intensifying efforts to curb open defecation through expanded infrastructure.
He said, “As part of our sanitation policy and advocacy against open defecation, we are ramping up public toilet infrastructure statewide. We already have over 1,700, and this will add to the number.”
Wahab urged residents to make proper use of the facilities, stressing that infrastructure alone would not solve sanitation challenges without behavioural change.
The inspection team also visited flood-prone communities in Apogbon and Olowogbowo on Lagos Island, where recent construction activities had triggered unexpected flooding.
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“Following the recent rains, we noticed flooding in Apogbon, which never used to happen. Investigations showed that ongoing construction had unintended consequences. We have engaged the Federal Ministry of Works, and corrective measures are underway,” he said.
At Olowogbowo, he described earlier conditions as “heart-wrenching” but noted that progress had been made since previous interventions.
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The commissioner further assessed ongoing work on the System 1 drainage channel, a major flood control infrastructure linking several parts of the mainland to the Lagos Lagoon.
He explained that recent complaints from residents in Sholuyi and Bariga were traced to soil displacement during construction.
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“The nature of the soil caused underground movement when sheet piles were installed. That led to temporary blockage, but we deployed additional equipment to open up the channel,” he said.
Wahab noted that the System 1 project, first gazetted in 1974, remains critical to flood control across Ikeja, Maryland, Bariga, Shomolu and adjoining areas.
He added that the ongoing works would significantly reduce flooding risks once completed.
“We are a coastal state. We cannot run away from that reality. But we must manage it. This project will help to mitigate flooding substantially across the mainland,” he said.
The commissioner disclosed that the drainage project is expected to be completed by September.
