The Lagos state government is carrying out a joint operation against building collapse, traffic congestion, street trading and environmental infractions. One of the strategies in motion is the demolition of shanties and illegal structures on Lagos Island.
The initial plan was to hand out final eviction notices to traders and owners of shanties along Breadfruit street in Balogun market on Lagos Island.
But to avert an imminent fire disaster, it turned out to be a demolition exercise.
The latest removal of shanties on the street began after the Mandilas Market 10- storey building fire incident on the 21st of January.
Leading a joint task force comprising six agencies in the built sector, the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development ordered the traders to remove all extensions on road setbacks.
While the team was going round the market to make announcements on the ultimatum, the team sighted a large Mikano Generator on the extended first floor of Bolashudun House on Breadfruit Street covering a PHCN transformer mounted on the ground floor.
While trying to bring down the generator, the team discovered several generators on other floors.
Lagos State was recently rated 19th in the ease of doing business global index and the government plans to ensure sanity is restored in the physical environment.
