In response to the discovery of numerous undocumented individuals residing in makeshift structures within the abandoned Ikoyi Towers compound, the Lagos State Government has initiated the demolition of illegal shanties in the area.
According to an announcement by Tokunbo Wahab, the Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, the enforcement operation began following the expiration of a 48-hour eviction notice served by the state government to the occupants of these unauthorized structures. Wahab disclosed this information through a post on his official social media account.
The joint effort, led by the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (KAI) and the Special Taskforce on Environmental Offences, aims to remove illegal shanties erected within the Ikoyi Towers premises. These structures, housing undocumented occupants, pose security threats to the environment and disrupt the state’s operations. Wahab emphasized the importance of reclaiming land and public facilities unlawfully converted for personal use, ensuring public safety, enforcing urban planning regulations, and addressing the proliferation of illegal settlements and structures throughout the state.
The Lagos State Government has been proactive in its efforts to create a cleaner and safer environment across the state by reclaiming public spaces occupied by illegal occupants. Squatter settlements, including those under bridges and within abandoned government properties, have been targeted for demolition due to their security risks and nuisance to the public.
Recent demolition efforts have focused on various bridges across the state, including the Ijora Under Bridge, Apongbon Under Bridge, Obalende Under Bridge, Osborne Under Bridge, and Dolphin Estate Under Bridge. The government plans to repurpose these recovered public spaces for the benefit of citizens.
In an interview on Arise TV, Wahab disclosed plans to transform the recovered under-bridges into beneficial assets for the community. For instance, the Ijora Under Bridge will be converted into a football pitch, and other spaces will be repurposed for suitable public use. Wahab assured citizens that these efforts will alleviate concerns about ungoverned spaces serving as hideouts for criminal elements.
The ongoing demolition of illegal shanties in Ikoyi Towers underscores the Lagos State Government’s commitment to ensuring a safer and more orderly urban environment for its residents.
