2nd May, 2024
By Kazeem Ugbodaga
No one will notice, but under the Dolphin Bridge in Ikoyi area of Lagos, 86 rooms have been constructed housing hundreds of Lagosians illegally.
Tenant in each room paid N250,000 as rent annually. Officials of the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment began demolition of the illegal structures on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Kunle Rotimi-Akodu, Special Adviser to the Governor on the Environment said the bridge has hitherto housed 86 rooms, partitioned into 10×10 and 12×10.
“Squatters there have been paying an average rent of N250k p.a. Continuation of the removal of abode under Dolphin bridge. 11 more persons were arrested.
“It is important to note that wood materials were used to construct the shelters, some occupants use gas cylinders, some had stored fuel for their generators, these are recipes for disaster,” Rotimi-Akodu said on his X handle.
Earlier, he said “Squatters dwelling under the bridge leading from inward Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi were evicted today Tuesday, 30th of April, 2024 by officials of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps LAGESC (aka KAI).
“These people created their own illegal settlement under the bridge, thereby exposing the critical infrastructure to impending destruction. 23 persons have so far been arrested and MoE/KAI will continue to monitor the place. The law will definitely take its course.”
Commissioner for the Environment, Tokunbo Wahab said “A total number of 86 rooms, partitioned into 10×10 and 12×10, and a container used for different illegal activities were discovered under the Dolphin Estate bridge.
“They have all been removed by the enforcement team of Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources. 18 individuals squatting illegally under the bridge leading from Dolphin Estate were arrested yesterday 30th of April, 2024 by the officials from the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps. The illegal shanties have been dismantled this morning.”