LAGOS COMMISSIONER OF ENVIRONMENT, MR. TOKUNBO WAHAB ON THE ENFORCEMENT TRAIL

LAGOS COMMISSIONER OF ENVIRONMENT, MR. TOKUNBO WAHAB ON THE ENFORCEMENT TRAIL

The Commissioner has reacted to the ongoing enforcement drive along the Lagos Badagry, which he described to Trek Africa Newspaper, as an international highway. He noted that the enforcement is imperative following the expiration of the one-month notice given by Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu to all street traders, squatters and occupiers of shanties and abandoned vehicles presently on the stretch of Lagos-Badagry Expressway from Orile-Iganmu to Iyana-Iba.

Accompanied by Permanent Secretary Office of Environmental Services, Dr. Gaji Omobolaji and his Counterpart in the Office of Drainage Services, Engr. Lekan Shodeinde and GM LASPARK, Toun Popoola, the Commissioner said he is moving round to ensure that the right-of-way is secured and illegal trading site and settlements along the corridor are pulled down. He particularly mentioned the illegal settlement at Agboju where squatters have built up shanties and have occupied government set backs, saying Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency (LASPARK) would move in after the squatters have been removed to commence work on the beautification and landscaping of the whole stretch.

He explained that the right of way for the Lagos Badagry Expressway stands between 90 to 120 meters, therefore any structure that falls between will not be allowed to stand. He advised some recalcitrant occupiers of sheds and settlements under the bridge before Abule Oshun who are still staying put to move before the enforcement team moves in. He urged all commercial vehicle operators on that corridor to maintain their designated Parks, saying henceforth any vehicle seen picking or dropping passengers at undesignated bus stops along the road would be towed away and the owners prosecuted.

Wahab emphasized that the Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu intends to restore the greenery and beautify the Lagos-Badagry Expressway corridor where illegal traders have encroached on the right-of-way. In his words: "the Special Intervention Team, is cleaning up the Lagos Badagry to rid of all environmental nuisances and black spots. The exercise would be sustained to ensure that ejected squatters do not return to rebuild these shanties”.

He restated his warning to street traders in different parts of the state that no area encroached upon would be left out of the clean up urging traders at Afolabi Ege Market, Iyana Iba to relocate within 7days as they are the causes of the man-made traffic bottlenecks along the axis.

The General Manager Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency LASPARK, Mrs. Adetoun Popoola and other directors from the ministry were also part of the inspection exercise.

PLEA TO GOVERNOR BABAJIDE SANWO-OLU

While we commend the efforts of the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu for inaugurating the Special Intervention Team, the matters arising from Alakija bridge must be immediately looked into. The team should continue its efforts in other locations like Agege, Ijora, Ajah, etc.

Everybody under the Alakija bridge must be forcefully ejected not caring whose ox is gored. And repairs should begin immediately on the bridge. Alakija bridge must not cave in. Lagos should be saved from this impending disaster