Lagos Gives Ultimatum To Owners Of Shanties On Blue Line Rail Corridor
Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab in furtherance of the directives of Mr Governor on Sunday gave a seven days notice to owners of shanties/traders on the set backs and rights of way of Lagos Blue Rail line corridor from Orile to Iyana Iba to either move behind the road setback or relocate outright.
He added that in addition to the Blue Line rail right of way which has been infringed, the Lagos Badagry Expressway is an international highway which setback must be observed.
The Commissioner said the enforcement becomes imperative following the expiration of the one month notice given by Mr Governor to all street traders, squatters and occupiers of shanties and abandoned vehicles presently on the stretch of Lagos – Badagry Expressway from Orile up 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 adviced 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.
He emphasized that the State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu intends to restore the greenery and beautify the Lagos-Badagry Expressway corridor as well as other parts of the state including Agege, Lagos Island, Ikeja and other areas 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.
Wahab warned residents against creating illegal dumpsites with particular reference to one noticed at the Eric Moore end of Surulere, saying that government is determined to find a lasting solution to illegal dumpsites and gave a directive of evacuation of the black spot within 24 hours to the State Waste Management Authority.
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.
