Bulldozer demolishes hundreds of shanties in Lekki, Lagos

On Monday, the Lagos State Taskforce razed hundreds of shanties along Lekki Coastal Road and its surroundings, which were planned by the state government to eventually act as a detour for drivers travelling along that axis.

The bulldozer was utilized for the demolition practice. CSP Shola Jejeloye, Chairman of the Agency, served as its leader.

The improvised structures, some of which were built directly under high-tension cables running across the area, were demolished after an eviction notice was delivered to the illegal inhabitants.

The shanties, according to CSP Jejeloye, not only pose health and safety dangers to locals but also act as a shelter for criminals who utilize such places as hideouts.

“This is the third major enforcement we are carrying out in this very location as we were here two years ago and even last year. Some of the kiosks are built under the high tension cable which is very dangerous,” he said.

The wooden shanties, which caught fire a few weeks ago and partially burned a structure over the fence from where the shanties were located, were also revealed by the Chairman.

“It would have been a more serious incident if not for the quick intervention of the Lagos State Fire Service which put out the fire that started off from the shanties. Gross disregard for safety precautions would always give room for unsafe conditions, that is why we have come to put an end to it today”.

The Chairman promised that he would immediately station men from the agency to monitor the axis and reassured Lagosians and inhabitants of the Lekki Coastal axis that the shanties would never be permitted to reappear.

Jejeloye further urged residents and CDAs to work together to develop long-term strategies, such as hiring private security guards to keep an eye on the axis, and to stop dishonest people from creating such improvised constructions.

Source