LASG commences removal of over 100 shanties under Adeniji-Adele bridge today
THE Lagos State Government (LASG) has announced its intention to clear more than 100 shanties accommodating numerous individuals at Adeniji Adele Underbridge starting from today.
The Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, revealed this information during a press briefing yesterday.
He mentioned that the removal action follows the lapse of a 48-hour notice given to all shanty occupants to vacate the premises.
The commissioner stated that the operation would be carried out by the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI/LAGESC) team and officials from the ministry’s Monitoring Enforcement and Compliance (MEC) department, with security support provided.
Wahab underscored that this initiative aligns with the Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu administration’s commitment to reclaim all unregulated areas within Lagos.
The Lagos State Government is set to initiate the enforcement process to clear more than 100 shanties at Adeniji Adele underbridge starting today, 6th of May, 2024.
He emphasized that the shanties, situated prominently in Lagos Island, present a distorted image of what a modern city like Lagos should embody.
Additionally, apart from the unhygienic living conditions in the shanties, they also serve as havens for criminals and hubs for illegal drug trafficking, posing risks to law-abiding residents’ well-being.
Wahab advised all shanty occupants to voluntarily evacuate with their belongings before the enforcement operation commences today for their own benefit.
Similar efforts to reclaim unregulated spaces have previously been undertaken at Ijora, Apongbon, Obalende, and Dolphin.
Furthermore, the commissioner addressed the removal of structures obstructing drainage flow in Mende, Maryland, stating that property owners were duly notified before their buildings were removed from the System 1 Drainage Right of Way.
Despite claims from residents suggesting inadequate notice, Wahab refuted these assertions, highlighting that notices were served as early as 2021 and that engagements had taken place with property owners regarding the encroachments on System 1.
“They claimed they were not served notices, they were served. They had come for meetings severally. The residents’ association had met with the Permanent Secretary, Engr Mahmood Adekunle Adegbite severally in my office. So, on what basis were they having meetings if they were not served?” Wahab queried.
“The first notices were served on them in 2021. Each of the property owners on Systems 1 were duly written that they should remove their encumbrances because they were sitting on Systems 1. That led to engagements with my predecessor in office, Mr Tunji Bello.”
