The Lagos State Government says it will commence full enforcement of the removal of stalls/shanties under Apongbon Bridge and the setback of the Savage/Elegbata/Bombata drainage channel on Lagos Island on Tuesday.
This move followed the expiration of the 48-hour quit notice issued to the traders last week.
The Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, said this while speaking with newsmen at Ebute Ero after an inspection tour of the Savage/Elegbata Bombata Drainage channel around Olowogbowo/ Apongbon axis in Lagos Island.
He said the government would remove all the shanties impeding drainage channels in the best interest of all residents.
Wahab also explained that the Lagos State officials repeated the tour to ascertain the level of compliance by traders operating on drainage channel setbacks with the quit notice issued to them.
The commissioner noted that during an inspection tour last week, 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.
According to him, the enforcement activities will include the removal of any extension that impedes public infrastructure within the drainage channels, emphasising that any building not erected on drainage alignments will not be touched.
He observed that most people are recalcitrant but warned stall owners and traders who may be nursing plans to come back to the cleared setbacks.
Wahab said the Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency (LASPARK) would take over the space immediately for sustenance and beautification.
The commissioner also frowned at contractors who were in the habit of dumping building materials on the constructed drains thereby disrupting the free flow of stormwater.
He 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 be sealed while the materials must be carted away before they will be re-opened.
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.
The Commissioner mentioned that the government cannot detect all infractions at the same time but will rely on the people to serve as whistle-blowers.
He added that government agencies should endeavour to do the right thing whenever any infractions are reported.
