The Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab has given owners of shanties on setbacks and right of way on the Blue Rail line corridor from Orile to Iyana Iba seven days to move backwards or relocate.
The commissioner gave the ultimatum when he supervised the removal of shanties and illegal structures on government setbacks and right of way along the Lagos/Badagry Expressway.
He noted that it was important to ensure a complete restoration of the right of way.
Wahab explained that the enforcement becomes paramount following the expiration of the one-month notice given by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to street traders, squatters, as well as occupiers of shanties and abandoned vehicles on the Lagos/ Badagry Expressway.
Wahab, who was accompanied by the chairman of the Special Intervention Team for the restoration of the Blue Line Right of Way, ACP Bayo Sulaiman, stressed that the Lagos/Badagry Expressway is an international highway and the setback must not be infringed upon.
The commissioner, who particularly mentioned the illegal settlement at Agboju, where squatters have built shanties on government setbacks, said the Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency (LASPARK) will take over the beautification and landscaping once the squatters have been ejected.
He stressed 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 added.
“The Special Intervention Team is cleaning up the Lagos/Badagry expressway to rid it of all environmental nuisances and black spots. The exercise will be sustained to ensure ejected squatters do not return to rebuild these shanties.
“Let me also warn that every part of the state will be cleared of illegal shanties, so street traders and squatters should relocate, especially those at the Afolabi Ege Market in Iyana Iba. They have seven days to do this because they cause traffic bottlenecks along the axis,” he said.
