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Tag: Illegal structures

  • Lagos destorys illegal structures, shanties in Lekki, Ikoyi, VI

    Lagos destorys illegal structures, shanties in Lekki, Ikoyi, VI

    The Lagos State Government has began the demolition of illegal structures and shanties in Ikoyi, Lekki and Victoria Island.

    The operations were led by Chairman of Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Unit (Task Force) Olayinka Egbeyemi, a Superintendent of Police.

    Egbeyemi said the demolition was long overdue following the expiration of the ultimatum given to residents to quit.

    According to a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer PRO, of the task force, Adebayo Taofiq, the exercise would be continuous until the environment is clean.

    He said the exercise was jointly carried out by officials of the task force, Kick Against Indiscipline, affected local governments and local council development areas, paramilitary men, the police  representatives of VIIRA ( Victoria Island and Ikoyi Resident Associations) and other relevant stakeholders.

    “The Chairman said the present administration under the leadership of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode would not condone any illegalities and criminals hideouts across the state .

    He maintained that the emerging status of Lagos State as a Mega-City must be jointly protected and made safe for foreign investors who are interested in coming to invest in different economic sectors of the state”.

    The statement quoted Egbeyemi as saying thet  more than 120 illegal shanties and structures were demolished on the first day of the exercise.

     

  • VI, Ikoyi clean Up – Lagos begins clearing of illegal structures

    VI, Ikoyi clean Up – Lagos begins clearing of illegal structures

    The much anticipated Clean Up of Ikoyi and Victoria Island areas commenced simultaneously on Saturday with officials of the State Task Force and other agencies clearing illegal structures and shanties and same being carted away by trucks of the Lagos State Waste Management Authority.

    The operation which was led by the Chairman of the State Task Force, Supol Yinka Egbeyemi, featured the usage of bulldozers and pay loaders which demolished all illegal structures on median of Water Corporation Drive.

    The team also cleared the Waterfront at Ozumba Mbadiwe of automobile technicians and food courts that have taken over the space.

    Officials of the Lagos State Parks and Gardens were also on ground to secure the spaces that have been cleared.

    Areas already cleared in Ikoyi include Awolowo Road, Falomo and Bourdillon where disused tyres and horticulturists were removed and taken away.

    At Water Corporation Drive, which is also a major infraction point, the road setback which had been converted into brothels and bars and car wash were removed.

    The team also cleared Ahmadu Bello Way and the liaison offices that had been converted to makeshift homes and canteens.

    Chairman of the Clean Up Committee and Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello, who also visited Ahmadu Bello Way, Ligali Ayorinde and Ozumba Mbadiwe Waterfront to see the extent of the clean Up, seized the opportunity to advise residents and property owners with illegal structures to dismantle them before the team comes calling.

    The exercise which is a continuous one also featured the presence of representative of Victoria Island and Ikoyi Residents Association (VIIRA) who supported the initiative of the State government on the clean up exercise.

  • Illegal structures: Task Force warns property owners in Ikoyi, VI

    Lagos State Task Force on Clean-Up of Ikoyi and Victoria Island has ordered property owners in the area to remove unapproved structures in front of their buildings or face sanctions.

    Taskforce Chairman and Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Tunji Bello, gave the directive yesterday at a meeting with the committee members.

    Bello said the government will not hesitate to invoke the provision of the Parks and Garden Law 2011 as it affects landscaping and beautification of such properties. He said owners who fail to landscape and beautify their properties,  will be liable to six months imprisonment or a fine of N250, 000 upon conviction.

    The SSG explained that a similar action would be taken against owners of structures who harbour squatters, convert their structures to hotels or provide shelter to street traders.

    According to him, the Task Force has deployed its team to the areas in preparation for the Clean-Up, adding that the team would also secure all the open spaces to prevent a return of the miscreants.

    At Victoria Island, the affected streets include: Ahmadu Bello Way, Adetokunboh Ademola, Bishop Aboyade Cole, Samuel Manuwa, Sanusi Fafunwa, Karimu Kotun, Tiamiyu Savage, Ligali Ayorinde Avenue, Water Corporation Close, Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue, Adeola Hopewell Road, Adeyemo Alakija, Idowu Martins, Kofo Abayomi, Saka Tinubu, Adeola Odeku and Akin Adesola Street.

    Bello listed the streets to be cleaned up at Ikoyi as: Awolowo Road, Keffi Street, Falomo Roundabout, Norman Williams, Raymond Njoku Road, Alexander Avenue, Lugard Avenue, Club Road, First and Second Avenues, Federal Secretariat Road, Bank Road, Osborne Road, Glover Road, Onikoyi Crescent, Cameroon Road, Bourdillon Road and Oyinkan Abayomi Drive.

    At Lekki, areas such as First Roundabout, Toll-Gate and  Oriental Hotel neighbourhoods, as well as Admiralty Way from the Waterfront will be visited.

    He said the government has identified such structures and would take necessary measures which could include revocation of Certificates of Occupancy (CofOs), if owners failed to remove illegal occupants after official communication.

  • Lagos reads riot act to owners of illegal structures, street hawkers

    Lagos reads riot act to owners of illegal structures, street hawkers

    The Lagos State Government on Sunday read the riot act to all the 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 grace period to remove such 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 are not removed after the 14 days grace, the State Special Task Force 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 deadweight equipments to remove them out immediately.

    Bello said the State 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 have 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 parkings.

    He said the State 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.

  • Illegal structures pulled down in Aba

    Illegal structures pulled down in Aba

    Illegal structures in Aba, Abia State’s business hub, are being knocked down in a bid to rid the state of street traders, and also restore the city’s master plan, the state has said.

    Officials of the Aba Urban Renewal Committee (AUR) have started destroying illegal structures and shops built on sanitary lanes and walkways along major streets in the commercial town.

    The exercise, which lasted more than four hours along St. Michael’s Road in the city centre, was supervised by a combined team of security agents who provided cover for the government officials while the exercise lasted.

    The state government had issued a statement banning street trading, warning that it would not hesitate to pull down structures built on waterways, sanitary lanes and shanties which have not only contributed to the defacing of Aba and continued perennial flooding.

    The traders comprising dealers in phone, electronics and computer hard and software, were directed to relocate to the Aba Mega Mall behind Osisioma Main Park along Aba-Enugu Expressway which the government said is more spacious and suitable for them.

    Our correspondent who monitored the exercise reports that the AUR team activities which started from St. Michael’s by High Court to St. Michael’s by Mosque, forced the traders out of their shops while some. But some summoned the courage to attend to some of their customers, although they did so amid fear.

    Some of the traders, who spoke to our reporter, said they supported the government’s decision to relocate them to the Aba Mega Mall, though they lamented what they called the high cost of shops at the new location, saying it was the reason they are reluctant to move.

    A roadside phone repairer who gave his name as Chukwudi, said, “How are we going to afford about N350,000 for the least shop there at the Mega Mall?  The timing for us is wrong too.

    “For several years after graduating, I looked for job and after an endless search, I took interest in phone repairs and today I can at least eat and change clothing instead of what life was for me when I was in search of a white-collar job.

    “Some of us here are students in Abia Poly, ABSU (Abia State University Uturu), Nekede, amongst others, paying our school fees and footing family bills.

    “The truth is that the relocation exercise is going to push some of us back to the street and that might also increase the level of crime in the society. Aba is already a hot zone and anything that will make the place hotter will not be in the interest of the state and other residents of the city.”

    The leader of the AUR committee, Mr. Obinna Egbulefu said that the exercise was not targeted at anybody.

    Egbulefu said that the AUR gave the traders one-year notice and have used every media platform to still notify the traders of the mandate given to them by the state government to demolish structures built on waterways and to also end street trading in the city.

    He expressed the hope that the movement of traders from St. Michael’s to Aba Mega Mall will reduce trading activities in the city and ensure free-flow of traffic.

    The chairman of the Aba Market Development and Relocation Committee, Mr. Solomon Nwaigwe told The Nation on the telephone that there enough space at the Mega Mall for every trader, adding that  the traders would not be paying stallage fees from May to July.

    He also said the N5,000 rent the traders will pay after the first three months will cover electricity charges, adding that 24-hour power supply is guaranteed from a 2KVA generator.

  • Benue: 206 illegal structures for demolition

    Benue: 206 illegal structures for demolition

    The Benue State government Monday said it had marked about 206 illegal structures scattered across the state capital, Makurdi for demolition in the next demolition exercise bid to take place this week.

    General Manager of Benue State Urban Development Board, Mr. Richard Agwa disclosed this while fielding questions from journalists in his office in Makurdi.

    Agwa explained that owners of such structures have long been served with notices of demolition, adding that the exercise is a deliberate policy of the Ortom administration to open up development blocked channels as the rains is fast approaching.

    He disclosed that areas where the structures have been marked for demolition include Achusa, Kanshio as well as Logo 1 and 2, adding that the major challenge confronting the board was lack of earth moving equipment, but commended the governor for making a provision for the board in the 2016 budget to address some of the problems.

  • ‘Illegal structures will go’

    ‘Illegal structures will go’

    The Ogun State government has said it would review the planned demolition of illegal structures in six communities in Ifo Local Government Area, following appeals for leniency.

    Over 2000 homes and structures in Onala, Ilupeju, Unity Estate, Araromi and other communities in Agbado Oke-Aro were marked for demolition.

    The communities carried out a peaceful protest yesterday, urging Governor Ibikunle Amosun to review the decision.

    The peaceful protest was led by the spokesman of the communities, Ademola Olojede.

    But the Secretary to the State Government, Taiwo Adeoluwa, who received the protesters, said many of the houses in the communities were erected on waterways.

    Adeoluwa said:”We have checked with relevant agencies and discovered that most of the houses are on water pipelines.

    “That is wrong. It is against the present effort to set a standard for doing things right in our state.

    “The governor will never abandon you. That is why a new team will be visiting you soon to see how adjustments can be made.

    “However, the houses which are on the pipelines will have to give way because building on water pipelines, gas lines or construction under high tension cables is dangerous and we don’t want accidents to happen to our people.

    “The team will come back to take an audit, but like I said the houses on the pipelines will go.”

  • Marking of illegal structures begins at Ladipo market

    When will the shut Ladipo Market in Mushin, a Lagos suburb, be reopened? This was the question yesterday as the traders met to facilitate the reopening of the market, which was shut four days ago.

    Commissioner for the Environment, Tunji Bello, who visited the market yesterday said the government was not in a hurry to reopen it.

    “What we are doing is in the interest of the traders. The market will be reopened when the proper thing is done,” he said.

    The traders are counting their losses; some have devised alternative means of making a living.

    The market was shut on Monday for alleged environmental degradation. The closure followed an earlier visit by Bello, during which he threatened action, if the traders failed to address the sanitation problem.

    All roads leading to the market remained barricaded yesterday by policemen who have been keeping vigil there since Monday. An Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) was stationed at the Toyota Bus Stop, the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway end of the market. Armed policemen still positioned themselves in twos and threes to ensure compliance.

    Under the aegis of Ladipo Central Executive Auto-Dealers Association, the market leaders met at an eatery to push for the reopening of the place. After the meeting, their President General, Ikechukwu Animalu, told The Nation: “Tomorrow (today), we are going to mark all the illegal structures in the market. I can assure you that by Sunday, all those structures would have given way. We would have restored sanity to the market environment. We hope that by Monday, we should be back in business.”

    Petty traders, who hitherto operated inside the market, were seen trading at makeshift stands on neighbouring streets.

    A trader, Mrs Suliat Adeyeye, told The Nation: “I had to find somewhere to sit and sell a few things because I have to feed my three children. We only hope the state government will soon have mercy on us and allow us into the market.

    Since policemen did not allow them operate at their park, commercial tricycle operators temporarily relocated to Ladipo-Mushin Road. “As soon as the present situation subsides, we will go back to our park,” one of them, Tajudeen said.

    Bello said the traders’ hope of early resolution of the impasse would depend on the outcome of a meeting between them and the government.

    “We are going to meet with the traders’ body and indeed, all stakeholders in the matter. We are not in a hurry. It is the outcome of the meeting that will determine when to re-open the market. What we are doing is in the overall interest of the traders and this, they must understand and appreciate,” the commissioner said when he visited the market yesterday.

    He reiterated that street trading is an offence in the market, adding that traders must remove all attachments built round the market/canals, including all derelict vehicles that had made the place an eyesore.

    Bello came with the Special Adviser to the Governor on Commerce and Industry Seye Oladejo and Chairman of Mushin Local Government Olatunde Adepitan, among others.

    Some traders were arrested yesterday by men of the state task force on environmental offences for flouting government regulations.

  • Obi to demolish illegal structures to save roads

    THERE was tension yesterday in Onitsha when Anambra State Governor Peter Obi ordered the recovery of roads and streets encroached upon by land speculators in Nkpor, Onitsha and other cities in the state.

    The governor said areas originally designed as roads and streets would be recovered and reopened to the public.

    Obi spoke after inspecting Dimude Street, which linked Ukpo Street, Nkpor, but was blocked and closed by land speculators, following the building of structures on the road.

    The governor said such structures would be demolished.

    He wondered why some people were building on existing public roads and causing traffic congestion and other difficulties to fellow residents.

    Obi regretted that such illegalities were perpetrated in collusion with some government officials, adding that the administration would reclaim all such roads.

    The government has started removing illegal structures and obstructions on Agulu Avenue, Nkpor, and its environs.

    Obi said yesterday the exercise would be extended to all parts of Idemili North, Onitsha North and South, Awka and Nnewi South Local Governments.

    The governor gave the occupants hours to remove the structures from New Tarzan Junction through Agulu Avenue, old Motor Tyres Amagu and Mercedes Avenue, all in Nkpor.

  • Taskforce demolishes illegal structures in Jos

    Taskforce demolishes illegal structures in Jos

    The Taskforce on Jos city renewal on Wednesday resumed the demolition of illegal structures in the metropolis, leaving many owners in tears.

    The exercise came after the taskforce suspended activities in September 2012, to pave the way for owners to obtain Right of Certificate of Occupancy.

    The leader of the team, Mrs. Theresa Kaze, told the News Agency of Nigeria that the taskforce resumed the exercise after the expiration of the notice given to their occupants.

    “We suspended our demolition since September 2012 to give way for people to register and legitimise their structures.

    “ But a lot of people refused to heed to our earlier warnings.

    “The taskforce will not relent in making sure that structures within Jos metropolis are erected within the confines of the stipulated provision.

    “We are saddled with the onus of actualising a greater Jos master plan, and any effort by anyone to truncate our work will not be tolerated,’’ she said.

    Kaze said meaningful development always caused pains, adding that some people would have to suffer some form of difficulties.

    Mr. Benjamin Kango, one of the affected residents at old airport junction, said the decision by the taskforce to demolish structures was wrongly timed.

    Kango accused the taskforce of demolishing legitimate structures.

    The taskforce had said that the exercise would continue until the metropolis returned to its original plan