Lagos State Taskforce on Environmental Offences has demolished several shanties erected along Lekki Coastal Road and its environs, and sent the occupants packing.
When completed, the coastal road, according to the government, is to serve as an alternate route to motorists along the axis.
The demolition exercise, led by the Chairman of the agency, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Shola Jejeloye, followed eviction notice served on the illegal occupants who had constructed makeshift structures, some of which were erected under high tension power line running through the area.
Jejeloye said the exercise was part of measures to maintain and sustain a serene and habitable environment, free from security threat and challenges.
He stressed that the shanties, which had earlier been mapped out by the State, not only constitute health and safety risk to residents of the area but also served as a haven for criminals who make use of such locations as hideouts to carryout there nefarious acts.
“This is the third major enforcement we are carrying out in this very location as we were two years ago and even last year.
“Some of the kiosks are built under the high tension cable which is very dangerous,” Jejeloye stated.
The chairman added that the shanties, which were built with wood, caught fire some weeks ago and led to the partial burning of another building across the fence.
“It would have been a more serious incident if not for the quick intervention of the Lagos State Fire Service who put out the fire which started off from the shanties.
“Gross disregard for safety precautions would always give room to unsafe conditions, that is why we have come to put an end to it today,” Jejeloye said.
The chairman, however, assured the public, particularly residents of Lekki coastal axis to be rest assured that the shanties will no longer be allowed to spring up again, promising to deploy operatives of the agency to henceforth monitor the axis.
Jejeloye, therefore, appealed to residents and Community Development Associations, CDAs of the area to collaborate with each other and come up with sustainable plans like employing private security men to monitor the axis in order to prevent any unscrupulous individual erecting such makeshift structures.
“We will not rest on our oars till criminality is stamped out and the environment is free from activities that could lead to avoidable loss of lives and property,” taskforce boss stated.