The operatives of the Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Unit (Taskforce) today issued a seven-day ‘Removal Notice’ to owners and occupants of illegal structures, shanties, mechanic workshops, containerised kiosks and commercial bus garages around Government Public Schools at Mile 2, Badagry Expressway, Lagos
Chairman of the Agency, CSP Olayinka Egbeyemi, who disclosed this at a gathering of stakeholders and sectional heads of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), warned them to immediately vacate the entire area as well as the vicinity of the Schools within the stipulated period.
CSP Egbeyemi affirmed that the ‘Removal Order’ became imperative following the outcry by residents, particularly management of the Public Schools (Imoye High School and Amuwo Odofin Junior Secondary School) that criminal elements have turned the area into hideouts and spots for carrying out their nefarious activities, thereby making the environment unpleasant for learning.
The Taskforce Chairman said, “it is disheartening seeing these illegal business operators like mechanics, iron benders, food and fruits vendors, among others, turning the entire perimeter fence of these schools into illegal trading spots. In addition, they have littered the entire area with indiscriminate dumping of refuse and waste metal materials”.
He confirmed that investigations conducted had revealed that these illegal structures, which serve as the abode for criminal elements who rob unsuspecting members of the public of their valuables on Lagos-Badagry Expressway, do not have any permit or operating licence from the Lagos State Government.
He reiterated that, immediately after the expiration of the ‘Removal Order’ on Tuesday, 4th of March, 2020, the Agency will embark on a clean-up exercise in the area as well as a clampdown on all criminal elements.
CSP Egbeyemi, however, cautioned traders and occupants not to make financial contributions or bribe anyone in order to prevent or stop the removal order, stressing that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has, on compassionate ground, approved monetary compensation for deserving victims of the cleanup enforcement exercise.
About Post Author
