The Lagos State Government has disclosed that it has intensified its efforts to arrest suspected gang leaders who rented out the 86 apartments in the Dolphin Estate Bridge in Ikoyi.
Following a discovery by the state government on Wednesday, it was revealed that 86 partitioned rooms, measuring 10×10 and 12×10, were being used as makeshift apartments under the bridge.
Tenants occupying these rooms are reportedly paying N250,000 per annum.
The state Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, during the ongoing ministerial press briefing to commemorate Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second term office disclosed that 165 miscreants and squatters on the pedestrian bridges across the state were also dislodged and the bridges were cleaned up.
At the briefing held in Alausa, Ikeja on Friday, Wahab said, “The government has also intensified efforts to arrest for prosecution the ring leaders who rented out the under-bridge apartments to tenants who also rear children in the place.
“Just about 24 hours ago, the operatives carried out an operation that unearthed a major illegal housing settlement constructed under the Dolphin Bridge Ikoyi.
“An unbelievable 80 rooms partitioned 10×10 and 10×12, and a container used for illegal activities was also discovered.
“All the structures have been dismantled and a total of 26 miscreants who lived underneath were arrested, while efforts are being intensified to arrest the gang leaders who rented out the under-bridge apartments, which also had electricity supply.”
Highlighting some of the achievements of the ministry, the commissioner added that 1,037 people were arrested for crossing highways and failing to use pedestrian bridges across the state.
“The Kick Against Indiscipline, in conjunction with the state Task Force on Special Offences, also cleared the Ijora Causeway under-bridge, the Apongbon under-bridge, Obalende under-bridge, which has become abode to undesirable elements who posed a security risk to the state.
“They also carried out the clearing of Lagos Coastal Road at Maiyegun Estate, Jakande, preparatory to the commencement of the construction of the Lagos Coastal Road. The agency arrested a total of 1,886 comprising illegal traders, street traders, environment polluters, and cart pushers.
“All these individuals were prosecuted according to the 2017 Lagos State Environmental Protection Management Law,” he added.
Wahab further stated that perishable food items and goods confiscated during the enforcement raids were donated to orphanages, motherless baby homes, and the needy as prescribed by the law.
“The Lagos Signage and Advertising Company has embarked on a comprehensive project to replace dilapidated street directional signs across the state.
“The ministry, during the period under review, through its state Environmental Protection Agency, undertook 367 enforcement activities in households, markets, hotels, warehouses, service centres, eateries, stores, churches, and mosques.
“It also got to 140 hospital facilities, supermarkets, nightclubs, bakehouses, to ensure compliance with the state environmental laws,” the commissioner noted.
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