Lagos govt demolishes buildings erected under powerlines

By Sodiq Adelakun

The Lagos State Government on Tuesday carried out a large-scale demolition exercise targeting shops, houses, and workshops built under high-tension powerlines in the Joke Ayo area of the state.

The operation was supervised by officials from the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, alongside enforcement officers, who described the affected structures as illegal and unsafe for human habitation.

As bulldozers rolled through the area, scavengers rushed in, collecting iron rods, metals, and other materials from the debris, while residents and shop owners wept over their destroyed properties.

One of the affected traders, Mrs. Kikelomo Nimota, expressed her shock and frustration, saying she had only recently paid rent for her shop.

“I just paid for this shop not long ago. Before we knew it, we heard that the government would demolish all buildings under the powerline. I didn’t expect it to happen this quickly,” she lamented.

Officials from the state government maintained that the action was part of ongoing efforts to enforce urban planning laws and prevent potential electrocution and fire disasters caused by illegal constructions beneath transmission lines.

“This exercise is not punitive; it’s a preventive measure to safeguard lives and properties,” one official stated.

The demolition follows a series of similar enforcement drives across the state, as the government intensifies its campaign to restore order in high-risk areas and curb unapproved developments threatening public safety.