Lagos govt begins demolition of shanties along Adeniji Adele drainage
…Targets illegal structures as part of urban renewal efforts
By Sodiq Adelakun
The Lagos State Government has initiated the demolition of shanties located along the drainage setbacks at Adeniji Adele on Lagos Island.
The operation, carried out by the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC), began on Monday.
According to the state’s Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, the removal of these structures is aimed at restoring the functionality of the drainage system and preventing further obstruction.
“Operatives of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps @LAGESCOfficial commenced operations removing shanties on the setback of drainage at Adeniji Adele,” Wahab announced via his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Monday.
A video accompanying the tweet showed LAGESC operatives using various tools to dismantle the wooden structures along the drainage line, while some occupants looked on.
The demolition also highlighted the illegal occupation of areas under a nearby bridge, where individuals were engaged in petty trading within a cluttered and unsanitary environment.
The presence of these shanties has long been a concern for urban planners and environmentalists, as they contribute to the obstruction of drainage systems, potentially causing flooding in the area.
The state has recently increased efforts to clear illegal structures and encampments in several other locations.
These include the demolition of 138 shanties along the canal bank in Ajao Estate and the clearance of 54 illegal structures beneath the Eko Bridge in the Ebute-Ero area earlier this month.
In addition to these enforcement actions, the government is exploring collaborations with the private sector to repurpose cleared areas into public-use facilities, offering long-term solutions to environmental issues and promoting urban sustainability.
Wahab emphasised that these efforts are essential to preserving the integrity of Lagos’ infrastructure, improving public health, and fostering a more organised and safer urban environment.
“We will continue to clear illegal structures to ensure that Lagos remains a model for urban development and environmental management,” Wahab added.
The Lagos State Government’s move comes amid rising concerns over the unchecked growth of informal settlements and the environmental degradation they cause.
The authorities encouraged residents to adhere to state regulations and avoid encroaching on public spaces and waterways.
