22nd April, 2023
The Lagos State Government is set for massive demolition of illegal structures and shanties along Lekki Coastal Road and has issued five days deadline for squatters to vacate.
Officials of the Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Unit (Taskforce) on Friday storemed the area and served squatters at Adewale Kolwale Street, Lekki coastal road and its environ five days removal notice of all illegal structures and shanties erected in the area.
The Chairman of the Agency, CSP Shola Jejeloye, advised the owners of the illegal structures, makeshift buildings and shanties to immediately remove them as well as vacate the area within the stipulated date given to them by the state government.
Jejeloye, while appealing to traders, food vendors, and other squatters living unhygienically in clusters, noted that government would enforce the 5-day removal notice on 25th April, 2023.
He disclosed that the ‘Removal Notice’ became necessary in view of the rising incidences of pollution and most importantly a fire outbreak which occurred three days ago which almost led to the destruction of buildings on the other side of the street.
The Chairman said that the state government was worried by the squalid environment which could also serve as hideouts for criminals who posed as security threat to residents in the area and Lagosians at large.
Jejeloye added that the state government was committed to reducing crime to the barest minimum through clearing out of criminal hideouts and also ensure that the environment was safe, serene and habitable for all concerned.
He stated that shanties, illegal structures like these were known for indiscriminate disposal of waste materials which is not in tandem with the State’s vision for a Mega City Status.
Jejeloye warned owners of abandoned trucks and vehicles, shanties and kiosks to remove them from the area before the expiration of the deadline, adding that this would be the first notice of removal being served on the occupiers.
“The Lagos State’s zero tolerance for environmental abuse, illegal and indiscriminate dumping of refuse and defacing the environment is going to be followed to the letter and we will make sure our objective here is achieved” Jejeloye stated.
“I can assure you that government will enforce this notice come next week Tuesday,” he said.