The Lagos State Government, through the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), began demolishing shanties in Bombata Market, Lagos Island, on Friday.
The action follows the expiration of a 30-day ultimatum given to occupants to vacate the premises.
In a statement on X, LASBCA explained, “The Lagos State Government’s bid towards Urban Regeneration, Development and Abating Environmental and Security nuisance in the State, through the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), today began the removal of shanties in Bombata Market, Lagos Island after the expiration of the 30 days ultimatum given to the occupants to vacate.”
Earlier in October, LASBCA issued a one-month notice to the market occupants, after previously serving multiple warnings.
The agency expressed concerns that the market, located near Pelewura on Lagos Island, posed environmental hazards due to its deteriorating condition.
It would be recalled that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu ordered the demolition of Bombata and Jankara Markets in October 2023 as part of the government’s urban renewal and flood-control projects for the area.
“There will be zero-tolerance and from Monday, the Ministry of Environment will start giving demolition notices to all the stores that have been built on the drains and 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,’’ Sanwo-Olu had said.