Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has issued a final warning to illegal occupants and structures on the median of the Lagos-Badagry Expressway, directing relevant agencies to commence a large-scale demolition and clean-up operation along the axis from Monday, as part of efforts to restore order and improve environmental sanitation.
Speaking to journalists during the monthly environmental sanitation exercise at Itire Road in Surulere Local Government Area of the state, on Saturday, Sanwo-Olu said the government would no longer tolerate the illegal occupation of the road median, describing it as an abuse of public infrastructure, an eyesore, and a threat to the ongoing reconstruction of the 10-lane super-highway.
On the governor’s entourage was his wife, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, the wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs Oluremi Hamzat, and the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab.
Sanwo-Olu said the exercise would cover the stretch from Orile Iganmu to Okokomaiko, warning that all illegal structures on the corridor would be removed, sparing no one.
According to the governor, “This is the final notice to everyone occupying the median of the Lagos-Badagry Expressway. From next week, we are coming to clear the entire median. Everything there will go. Every illegal structure will be removed,” he declared.
Sanwo-Olu stressed that the median was designed as part of the highway infrastructure and not for commercial activities or habitation.
He continued: “It is not meant to be a market. It is not meant to be a place where people erect structures. It is a highway median, and we must preserve it, especially considering the huge public investment on that corridor.
“We will deploy thousands of enforcement personnel in the operation to ensure strict compliance with environmental and physical planning laws.
“We are coming with all the necessary manpower and equipment. We will remain there until the job is completed. No one should expect any exemption; we are not sparing anyone.”
Sanwo-Olu also used the occasion to reaffirm his administration’s commitment to improving waste management across the state through increased investment in sanitation infrastructure.
By Olasunkanmi Akoni
