LAGOS, AUGUST 28, 2016 – The Lagos State Government on Sunday read the riot act to all owners of illegal structures, shanties, street hawkers and those who have converted walkways into trading points and food courts in Ikoyi, Victoria Island and the Lagoon Front of Lekki, just as it issued a 14-day ultimatum for them to remove the illegal structures.
In a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr Tunji Bello, the state government warned that if such illegal structures were not removed after the 14 days grace, the State’s Special Taskforce on the Clean Up of the areas would move in to enforce the laws.
“The owners of all illegal structures, shanties, abandoned buildings and all those who have converted road median to commercial uses in Ikoyi, Victoria Island and Lekki have between today (Monday) and two weeks’ time to comply or have the State Special Task Force on the Clean Up of the areas to contend with,” the SSG warned.
The statement added that owners of all abandoned buildings in different areas of Ikoyi, Lekki and Victoria Island which are now harbouring prostitutes, illegal miscreants and unwanted elements must clear the structures of such undesirable elements immediately.
He specifically warned owners of properties on the Lagoon fronts of Lekki Phase 1 who have littered the whole areas with compactors and several other dead-weight equipment to remove them out immediately.
Bello said the government was concerned about the conversion of the frontages of properties and abandoned houses to kiosks and trading points by maids and guards as well as the unregulated activities of horticulturists who had turned setbacks to hide outs and selling points.
He reiterated the determination of the Ambode-led administration to restore the original master plan of Ikoyi, Victoria Island and Lekki by checking the activities of roadside automobile repairers who have converted many dual carriage lanes to single lanes with indiscriminate parking.
The SSG said the government would no longer tolerate unauthorized parking of vehicles, trucks, among others on drainage infrastructure, adding that owners of such vehicles and properties with unkempt drainages will be prosecuted.
Bello said it was totally unacceptable for people to stockpile and display wares such as bags of charcoal on major roads like Ahmadu Bello Way and Federal Secretariat Road, Ikoyi, stating that henceforth such goods would be confiscated and the owners prosecuted.
“We are using this medium to sensitize members of the public and residents of the affected areas who are involved in these illegalities to immediately take right action and do the needful as the State Government will take the necessary steps to enforce its environmental and sanitation laws forthwith.
“All those engaging in roadside display of wares, illegal street trading and all illegal squatters on undeveloped land and all those who have converted road median to commercial uses in Ikoyi, Victoria Island and Lekki are being advised in their own interest to put a stop to the illegalities,” he said.
