Gbenga Oloniniran As part of efforts to stop further destruction of homes and property by flood, the Lagos State Task Force has served removal notices to squatters and illegal occupants dwelling in shanties built on canal setbacks in various parts of the state. The spokesperson for the agency, Gbadeyan Abdulraheem, in a statement on Thursday, said the move was to curb the incessant flooding experienced during downpours in the metropolis. He stated, “The notices, which were served to settlers today (Thursday) by the chairman of the agency, CSP Adetayo Akerele, were carried out at strategic locations where it had been observed that squatters built shanties and makeshift buildings too close to the drainage system which contravenes the laid down physical planning laws of at least 15 feet from the canal setback.
” Akerele described the activities of the squatters as a ticking time bomb due to unpredictable climate change conditions being experienced across various parts of the world. He further said that shanties spread across various canals like Soluyi Gbaada, Gbagada Bus Stop (Beside Atunrashe Estate), Charlie Boy Bus Stop and Bajulaiye, were all visited and the occupants were notified of the intention of the state to clear the areas. He lamented about the rising crime rate perpetrated by occupants of the shanties, adding, “Reports have also been received by residents and artisans around Gbagada of the illegal activities of miscreants who also make use of the shanties as their hideout from which they set out to perpetrate crimes, such as bag snatching and car vandalism around the area.
” He assured the residents that clearing the canal setbacks would serve as an effective crime reduction strategy in the area. “Shanties have no place in a mega city such as Lagos due to their lack of environmental decorum, and as a habitation of criminals and for defacing of areas where they have been erected,” he added. Recall that the state government has consistently warned against building on drainage setbacks and had set out to take down structures violating physical planning laws.
Following persistent downpours that had led to flooding in many parts of the state in early July, the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, said the flood was only able to recede following efforts made by the government to clear drainages and structures built on drainage setbacks, among others. Copyright PUNCH All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.
Contact: [email protected] Tags #Flooding Drianage setbacks Illegal occupants Lagos demolish shanties by canals Lagos State Task Force Ministry of Water Resources Violating physical planning laws.
