The government of Ogun State has begun demolishing some illegal shanties along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway in order to rid the state of environmental hazards and keep the state free of infectious diseases.
The senior special assistant to the governor on the environment led the powerful task-force supported by security agencies to carry out the operation.
Beginning from Kara back to the Interchange to Abeokuta, it is now a sin for anyone to put up shanties by the road side as the setbacks in all these areas are compulsory.
It is a public holiday, but not a public holiday for the ministry of the environment, as they see this day as a better day to carry out the enforcement.
They never believed this would happen on a day like this as they were caught unawares, even with the government’s several notices, meaning they never took it seriously.
Farooq Akintunde, senior special assistant to the governor on the environment, led the enforcement exercise.
Those who were wise began the evacuation process, while those who were obstinate or had gone on vacation will undoubtedly find their shanties displace.
While the evacuation process was underway, a fight ensued between scavengers and the shanti owners.
Unfortunately, we were made to understand that these places have been paid for. To whom? This is a question begging for an answer.
This exercise will be carried out across the state. There will be no more room for the display of goods and services on walkways, drainages, or reserved places as necessary setbacks must be adhered to at all points where the government has placed them.
