The Lagos State government is set to take action to remove over 100 shanties under the Adeniji Adele bridge starting tomorrow.
The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, announced in a statement on his X on Sunday that enforcement would commence after the expiration of a 48-hour removal notice served to the occupants.
The operation will be carried out by operatives of the Kick against Indiscipline (KAI/LAGESC) and officials from the Monitoring Enforcement and Compliance (MEC) department of the ministry, with security backup.
Wahab stated that the initiative is part of the government’s efforts to reclaim all ungoverned spaces in the metropolis. He emphasized that these unsightly shanties distort the image of Lagos as a smart city and serve as hiding places for criminals.
“The removal is coming after the expiration of a 48-hour removal notice served on all occupants of the shanties to move with their belongings. And operatives of the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI/LAGESC) and officials from the Monitoring Enforcement and Compliance (MEC) department of the ministry will be given security backup to conduct the operation.
“This exercise is part of the avowed commitment of the present administration under Mr @jidesanwoolu to reclaim all ungoverned spaces that dot the Lagos landscape. Unsightly shanties which are located in the heart of Lagos Island represent a distorted image of what a smart city like Lagos should be.
“Apart from the unsanitary conditions of residents in the shanties, it also serves as a hiding place for criminals and points for peddling hard drugs and substances which is injurious to the wellbeing of law-abiding residents.
“Therefore, I advise 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.,” The statement read.
