THE UNTOUCHABLES' OF ALAKIJA BRIDGE: GOV. SANWO-OLU STEP IN TO AVERT DISASTER, ACP SULEIMAN LEADS ENFORCEMENT

THE UNTOUCHABLES' OF ALAKIJA BRIDGE: GOV. SANWO-OLU STEP IN TO AVERT DISASTER, ACP SULEIMAN LEADS ENFORCEMENT

• Commissioner of Environment, Wahab says 'efforts to eject squatters will be sustained'

By Oki Samson

To rehash its insistence that sanity is maintained on the Lagos-Badagry expressway axis of Lagos, the Lagos State Special Intervention Team led by Commander of Area F Police Division, ACP Bayo Suleiman was again on its enforcement drive last Sunday 24th September 2023. The move was a follow-up to the drive which commenced about a week ago which has seen great improvement around the Blue Rail Line and BRT corridors. The broken down trucks and trailers along the corridors have been removed, the junctions have been cleared giving the due right of way. Many residents of Mile 2, FESTAC, Iganmu and other communities along that corridor have praised Gov. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu for their new experience which they described to Trek Africa Newspaper as 'a breath of fresh air'.

In this follow-up exercise

which took place amid the heavy rains that Lagos witnessed on Sunday 24th September 2023, the Commissioner of Environment, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab was present on the trail alongside the Special Intervention Team comprising the Nigeria Police Force, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, Lagos State Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, and other relevant agencies.

ALAKIJA BRIDGE AND ITS 'UNTOUCHABLES'

Just as Trek Africa Newspaper observed the last time about the nonchalant attitude of some Lagosians on their misuse of the Blue rail line and BRT corridor, this time around another major infrastructure investment is under severe mismanagement and is a disaster waiting to happen if something is not urgently done. This is the Alakija Bridge.

It was discovered that thousands of homeless and destitute have converted the entire stretch under the bridge to their home. Under the bridge, Trek Africa Newspaper can report that shanties, illegal structures, and markets have been built. You will find all manner of household items - water showers, pumping machines, tubs, chairs, tables, TV, radio, etc. - to make their stay right under the bridge comfortable. As if the illegal occupants have gotten government permit to construct flats and apartments there, they live rent-free!

To make matters worse, nefarious activities and social vices are happening there. Thievery, prostitution, drug abuse, name it happen there, it is even possible that arms and ammunition are stashed in those shanties. Some run brothels under the bridge, criminals mounted escape routes around there so that once they engage in traffic robbery during rush hours on the bridge, they will navigate under the bridge to evade apprehension. Those who steal have support of others living there, they cannot be punished or arrested. 'The Untouchables' of Alakija bridge have become a menace to residents of FESTAC and nearby communities.

Further, the reinforcement materials of the Alakija bridge are brazenly removed without fear of consequences. You will see some of the bridge pillars that irons have been chiseled out and the concrete around it taken off. If you go under Alakija bridge and request to buy 'kasa' - sand in Hausa language, it will be sold for you at N500 per cement sacks. Where is the sand gotten from, the Alakija bridge. The situation is so terrible that the bridge could cave in soon if the Lagos State Government does not step in with urgent repairwork.

Another important factor that Trek Africa Newspaper observed is that the illegal occupants have become so relaxed, unfazed, and care-free that as the Special Intervention Team led by ACP Bayo Suleiman worked, they just went about their regular duties considering the efforts of the team as 'one of those government raids, they will soon go, they will be tired and leave us alone'. It seems there is a cabal in government, whether in federal or state, that is backing them up and fuelling their rash confidence. The people under Alakija bridge consider themselves 'The Untouchables'. Gov. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu must act fast.

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