Lagos demolishes illegal structures at Mile 2
Operatives of the Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit (Taskforce), has demolished over 100 illegal structures comprising of shanties, mechanic workshops, containarised kiosks and commercial bus garages around Government Public Schools at Mile 2, Badagry Expressway, Lagos.
Operatives of the Lagos state Environmental and Special Offences (enforcement) Unit has demolished over 100 illegal structures comprising of shanties, mechanic workshops, containerized kiosks and commercial bus garages around two public schools at Mile 2, along the Badagry Expressway, Lagos.
Chairman of the Agency, Olayinka Egbeyemi, who led the task force team on the demolition, said the enforcement exercise, which was an over – night operation followed the expiration of a seven – day removal notice issued to the illegal occupants in the area.
Egbeyemi stated that the removal exercise was sequel to numerous complaints and petitions by residents, particularly the management of Imoye High School and Amuwo Odofin Junior Secondary School, alleging that criminal elements have turned the area into hide-outs and spots for carrying out their nefarious activities thereby making the environment unpleasant for living or learning.
He said that the agency swung into action upon the expiration of the removal notice in order to ensure the prompt clean-up of the environment as well as clampdown on the activities of criminally minded persons that have become a source of disturbance to law -abiding Lagosians, especially residents of the area.
“These removed illegal structures and shanties were identified for harbouring criminal elements that rob unsuspecting members of the public of their valuables and also serve as an outlet for the sale of illegal hard drugs like tramadol, codeine, skunk and weed including mixed liquor to miscreants.
“Lagos is the most populous state in Nigeria as well as its economic heart beat. As such, the zero tolerance for all forms of crime and criminality by the present administration would be sustained.
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“ Owners and occupiers of these illegal business structures like mechanic workshops, food and fruits vendors and others have turned the entire area into an eyesore as everywhere including the surroundings of the public schools, are usually littered with refuse, used tyres, metals and abandoned vehicles and trucks amongst others,” Egbeyemi added.
While imploring those whose illegal structures and shanties are around public schools across the state to immediately remove them before the exercise reaches their areas, Egbeyemi said anyone caught would be seriously dealt with in accordance with the law.
He however, confirmed that the agency has commenced verification exercise of the claim of those affected for the legal documentation for the payment of monetary compensation as approved by the Lagos state Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
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