Operatives of the Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit (Task Force) at the weekend began demolition of all illegal structures, shanties, kiosks and containerised shops at ‘Marwa Waterside’ area of Lekki, Lagos, declaring that over 2500 illegal structures were removed in the exercise.
Chairman of the agency, CSP Olayinka Egbeyemi, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen by his office, saying that the exercise became imperative in preparation for the construction of a coastal road which would serve as an alternative route for the Lekki-Epe Expressway and enhance free flow of traffic on that corridor.
According to Egbeyemi, before the demolition exercise commenced, illegal business operators like iron benders, mechanics, food/fruits vendors, among others were served a 7-day “Removal Notice” by the state government to remove their property and vacate the entire area, saying that the ultimatum expired on Thursday, 19th of December, 2019.
“Illegal business operators like Iron benders, Mechanics, food/fruits vendors and others were served a seven-day ‘Removal Notice’ by the government to remove their property and vacate the entire area and it expired on Thursday, 19th of December, 2019,” Egbeyemi said.
However, he revealed that additional eight days’ grace was given to the affected people by the government following the expiration of the removal order, saying it was after that the agency embarked “on the clean-up exercise as well as clampdown on all criminal elements disturbing law-abiding residents within Marwa waterside and the entire Lekki axis.”
The Task Force boss, in a statement signed by the agency’s spokesperson, Mr Taofiq Adebayo, described the environment as an eyesore, saying “these illegal artisans, food vendors and others littered the entire area with refuse and waste materials.
“Investigation conducted revealed that none of these occupants and illegal business operators has any permit from the state government as miscreants freely smoke and sell Indian hemp as well as engage in prostitution around residential premises,” he said.
Egbeyemi, therefore, implored all illegal occupants on any of the government lands/property to immediately vacate same, warning that it would not be business as usual across the state.