Lagos commences demolition of over 100 shanties at Adeniji-Adele
The Lagos State Government on Monday, embarked on demolition of over 100 shanties, housing illegal squatters at Adeniji Adele Underbridge, as part of the ongoing clean-up exercise across bridges in the state.
Recall that the state government had recently enforced clean-up exercise of underbridges across the metropolis, which include: places like; Ijora, Apongbon, Obalende, Dolphin, where several illegal squatters were dislodged.
On Sunday, the state Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, had disclosed plans to commence removal of shanties around Adeniji-Adele.
The removal according to the commissioner became necessary after the expiration of a 48 hour removal notice served on all occupants of the shanties to move with their belongings.
Meanwhile, in the early hours on Monday, operatives of the Kick Against Indiscipline, KAI/LAGESC, and officials from the Monitoring Enforcement and Compliance, MEC, department of the ministry, with armed security back moved into action demolishing the structures.
According to Wahab, “The exercise is part of the avowed commitment of the present administration under Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu 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.”
Wahab said apart from the unsanitary conditions of residents in the shanties, it also serve as hiding places for criminals and points for peddling hard drugs and substances which is injurious to the wellbeing of law abiding residents.
The KAI Marshal, Major Olaniyi Cole, (retd), while speaking with Vanguard correspondent, said the removal exercise commenced at about 9. 30 am without any form of resistance from the illegal squatters.
As of the time of filing this report, KAI officials and other enforcement team were seen removing some structures while the affected squatters salvaging their property in the process.
“Our major challenge here is the number of livestock shelves we have to remove. They are numbering hundreds. One wonders how they got here in the first place.”
