Sanwo-Olu gives 72-hour notice to clear shanties on Lagos-Badagry Expressway

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and his wife, Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, led the monthly environmental sanitation exercise on Saturday in Surulere Local Government Area.

During the exercise, Sanwo-Olu announced a 72-hour notice for occupants of shanties and makeshift structures along the median of the Lagos-Badagry Expressway.

While speaking to journalists after the exercise, Sanwo-Olu said that a team from the state government would move to the area next week to demolish the shanties.

He added that the clearance would cover the stretch from Orile-Iganmu to Okokomaiko. He warned that all illegal structures along that area would be taken down.

He said, "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."

Sanwo-Olu emphasized, "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."

He continued, "It’s a 10-lane highway that was built with the resources of our taxpayers. I will not fold my arms and allow them to turn that international gateway into a slum. This is a notice that I am giving officially to everybody on that corridor. We are starting next week, and we are going to deploy thousands of men there."

Waste Management Plans

On waste management, Sanwo-Olu said the state would soon add 150 compactors to its waste collection fleet. He also mentioned that waste tricycles would be sent to inner communities to improve waste collection.

He pointed out that the state is investing in long-term waste processing facilities. This includes a modern material recovery and recycling center that can handle about 4,250 metric tonnes of waste each day.

He urged residents to support the government's efforts by disposing of waste properly and paying waste collection bills on time.

Sanwo-Olu stated, "Waste management is not the responsibility of government alone. It is a collective responsibility."

He added, "Residents must also play their part by paying for waste collection services. That is what enables the PSP operators to continue providing efficient services."

In closing, the governor encouraged parents to involve their children in sanitation activities. He believes this will help instill environmental responsibility early. He described cleanliness as key to building a healthier and more sustainable Lagos.