The Lagos State government, yesterday, gave a 14-day ultimatum to traders occupying illegal structures in Lagos Island to evacuate.
The ultimatum followed the recent fire outbreak at the Mandilas storey building on Broad Street, Lagos Island Local Council.
Speaking during a visit to the market, yesterday, General Manager of Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), Gbolahan Oki, decried illegal attachments at some buildings as well as the placing of electricity generators at the top of shops.
Oki said: “We have been clearing shanties at Breadfruit Street since the fire incident. We can now have free flow of traffic. We are doing the same in Lagos Island, and all over the state. It won’t end here.
“For Lagos Island, it’s going to be a continuous operation that will last six months. We want to ensure that we don’t have any traders selling along the road. The roads are for a particular usage, so we don’t want people selling on the road and we don’t want our drainage to be blocked.
“You see generators on the first and second floors, which is not healthy. It’s against the planning regulations. That was why we had to pull down the generators. A generator with fuel on top of a transformer is not healthy. So, we will take the bull by the horns and do the needful.”
Also, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Oluyinka Olumide, lamented that the structures were not built in accordance with laid-down approvals. He warned that no one has a right to altar originally approved plans.
“On that ground, we are coming here to clear those attachments; platforms, staircases. The simple design is to have roads, pedestrian walkways, and shops. But people have extended to the walkways, where they showcase their goods. This, we cannot allow.
“We have an agenda, which is to make Lagos a befitting state. Recently, it was rated the 19th state in the world. That’s a plus, and we want to be number one. People can still do their businesses but it has to be done in a proper and civilised manner,” he said.
On his part, Special Adviser of Central Business District (CBD), Olumegbon-Lawal Bola, said: “We want an environment conducive to every Lagosian between the business district and around. We want free flow of traffic. We don’t want people selling on the roads or walkways. A lot of buildings have attachments. Their staircases are on drainages. We must think about our safety.
“We should not turn everywhere to a market. It is not done. We didn’t give anyone permission to sell on the road or on walkways. All attachments to any physical structure must be removed within 14 days.”
Also, Director General of the State Safety Commission, Lanre Mojola, said the agency seeks to ensure safety. He said: “Safety should come first before any economic consideration.”
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Muyiwa Gbadegesin, said the agency is keen on restoring Lagos to glory.
“Most of these shops don’t have waste bins. They drop their refuse into the drainage. We are here to support the physical planning agency, so that after the demolition, we will be able to pack all the dirt and clear the gutters. We will ensure that every single shop has a bin,” he added.
Photo: Demolition: Caption.
