- By Halimah Olamide
As the Lagos Government continues to remove all shanties under bridges in many parts of the state, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has revealed plans to turn the locations into recreational facilities to enhance the beauty of the state.
The governor stated this when he personally inspected the Obalende under-bridge where officials of the Ministry of Environment and Water Sanitation brought down the shanties that had housed thousands for decades.
Sanwo-Olu said never again will authorities permit people to make under bridges their homes adding that the developments being brought to the state wont be appreciated with such illegal settlements.
He was accompanied by other officials of the government like Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat and Commissioner for Environment, Tokunbo Wahab.
Bulldozers had gone to work at the weekend to remove the shanties, creating a new look for the area which was hitherto dirty and crowded.
“Today, we embarked on a thorough inspection and closely monitored the ongoing cleanup operations at both the Obalende under-bridge and Ijora under-bridge, currently being revitalized by the Ministry of Environment,” the governor said in a tweet
He said during the assessment, he addressed illegal occupants at the Ijora under-bridge, emphasizing the importance of the cleanup efforts.
“I made it clear that a range of recreational activities would be established beneath the bridges and no individual would be permitted to reside or slumber beneath these structures in the future. This initiative aims to transform these spaces into vibrant, safe areas for the community.”