The Lagos State Government has announced its plan to remove over 100 shanties housing several people at Adeniji Adele Underbridge from Monday.
The Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed this while briefing newsmen on Sunday.
He said the removal comes after the expiration of a 48-hour removal notice served on all occupants of the shanties to move out their belongings.
The commissioner said operatives of the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI/LAGESC), and officials from the ministry’s Monitoring Enforcement and Compliance (MEC) department will be given security backup to conduct the operation.
Wahab emphasised that the exercise is part of Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu administration’s commitment to reclaim all ungoverned spaces that dot the Lagos landscape.
He stressed that unsightly shanties located in the heart of Lagos Island, represent a distorted image of what a smart city like Lagos should be.
The commissioner also said apart from the unsanitary conditions of residents in the shanties, they also serve as hiding places for criminals, and points for peddling hard drugs and substances which is injurious to the well-being of law-abiding residents.
He advised all the occupants of the shanties in their interest to voluntarily move out with their belongings before the commencement of the enforcement operations on Monday.
Similar enforcement operations to reclaim uncovered spaces have already taken place at Ijora, Apongbon, Obalende, and Dolphin.
