Lagos sets to remove illegal stalls, others on drainage setback at Lagos Island

The Lagos State Government on Sunday said the full enforcement of removal of stalls / shanties under Apongbon Bridge and  on  the setback of Savage/Elegbata/Bombata drainage channel on lagos Island commences on Tuesday following the expiration of the 48 hours quit notice issued  to the stall owners/ traders last week.

The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab made this known while speaking with newsmen at Ebute Ero after an inspection tour to Savage/Elegbata Bombata Drainage channel around Olowogbowo/ Apongbon axis in Lagos Island.

He said the government would remove all the shanties impeding drainage channel in the best interest of all residents.

He explained that the state  officials repeated  the tour to ascertain the level of compliance by stall owners/ traders operating on drainage channels / setbacks with the quit notice issued to them, recalling that last week during an inspection tour, it was observed that the setback of these two critical drainage collectors which are Bombata / Olusi and the Alagbafo collector have been converted into shops/stalls thereby causing the total blockage of the collectors.

“We came to ascertain the level of compliance with respect to the  abatement notices served on Thursday to ensure that statutorily we have fulfilled what is required according to the law and this will be followed by enforcement activities on Tuesday” he said.

He mentioned that the enforcement activities will include removal of any extension that impedes public infrastructure within the drainage channels emphasizing that any building not erected on drainage alignments  will not be touched.

He emphasised that the government has observed that most people are recalcitrant when it comes to obeying  laws as such stall owners and traders  who may be nursing plans of coming back to the cleared setbacks will not be allowed because LASPARK would take over the space immediately for sustenance and beautification.

The Commissioner also frowned at the habit of a lot of contractors who were in the habit of dumping building materials on the constructed drains thereby disrupting free flow of storm water.

“People dump building materials on the road and drainage channels; their mixers and cement are also on the road and in the process they destroy infrastructure and these same set of people accuse Government of not doing the right thing” he said.

The Commissioner stated he had instructed that all the buildings under construction and dumping materials on the road on Oke-Arin, Abibu-Oki, and around Ebute Ero market to be sealed while the materials must be carted away before they will be re-opened.

Wahab said the state government will continue to appeal to the people and step up its advocacy campaigns, “but  for those that are  recalcitrant they will continue to face the law in order to serve as an example to others”.

According to him, the Ministry will not only engage in the Advocacy approach but would also adequately use  enforcement and deal with offenders according to the environmental Laws of the state.

“We will use the the carrot and stick approach, appeal to people to align with our reasoning; we know that some people will be recalcitrant and these ones will be made examples for others to learn from” he added.

The Commissioner mentioned that government cannot detect all infractions at the same time but will rely on the people to serve as whistle blowers, adding that government agencies should endeavour to do the right thing whenever any infractions is reported.

“People must learn to protect the environment and remember that government will not fold its arms and watch the environment destroyed; the wheels of judgement may be slow but will definitely grind to a halt one day” he said.

The Commissioner was accompanied by Special Adviser on Environment, Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu; Permanent Secretariy Office of Drainage Services, Engr. Mahamood Adegbite; GM LASWAMO, Engr. Femi Afolabi and other  directors in the Ministry.

Places visited include, Savage/Elegbata Drainage channel which cut across Cole Street,  Savage Lane, George Street, Abu Lane, Apongbon underbridge and Olowogbowo areaa; Ebute Ero /Okearin/ Alakoro Martins drains collector.