Squatters under Lagos State bridges have defied order of the Federal and Lagos government to vacate the facilities. The Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu had ordered all occupants and traders under all the bridges in Lagos to vacate within seven days after the March 23, 2022 fire outbreak that destroyed Apongbon Bridge in Lagos Island.
Many had commended the governor and hoped that he would overcome emotional blackmail and threats by hoodlums to clear and sanitise the ugly underbellies of Lagos bridges, but the government is still far from carrying out its threat.
Similarly, Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, on May 10, 2022, gave occupants under Lagos bridges 30 days to vacate or risk forceful eviction, when he went round to see the situation under some bridges in Lagos Island, with senior officials of the ministry.
Fashola lamented that the illegal activities of mechanics and traders have impacted negatively on the bridges. Under the bridges still remain abodes of miscreants, who hide there to attack passersby any time of the day; as well as traders who display their wares spilling to the roadside, thereby causing gridlock.
The traders are ready to fight anyone that tries to challenge them or mistakenly stumble on their wares. Also, the miscreants who have converted the spaces into their permanent homes, defacing the walls with graffiti and turning it into permanent speaking and drinking joint. They poo, eat and bathe under the bridges.
When The Guardian contacted official of Lagos Government, to inquire why the order had not been obeyed, he lamented lack of manpower to implement the order and citizens’ failure to obey the order.
He said: “If the government asked the people to leave a place, they should have left, and if the government had enforced, newsmen would write to criticise the governor.
“The bridges are not built for people to live, cook and trade. We have seen it in Apongbon Bridge, where people abused the space and what it can cause. Trading under bridges also contributes to traffic gridlock.
“Often we ask about what the government is doing, but what are the people doing too? Can’t we be responsible enough to know that if the government says that something is dangerous for us, we should come together and do the right thing?
“Do not forget that all the bridges in the state are not owned by the Lagos State government, but it’s still not right for people to do anything under the bridge.
“ I will have to find out what happened about the enforcement. This case is like when the government asks people not to dump refuse in drains but they didn’t listen, and we are seeing the result all over the world so; it’s everyone’s duty, not the government alone.
“People pull down streetlights, cart away the poles and also break the concrete to remove the irons. People are being destructive and not taking ownership of government property. Even though they don’t pay taxes, they still do not consider that other people pay the tax for the government to get things done.
“Community leaders also need to help society because there are so many things the government cannot enforce; we don’t have the manpower to enforce everything. How many policemen are in Lagos if we want to use the police? Look at how they treat LASMA officials, any mistake they start stoning them as if they committed any offence. Many people don’t want a regulated society at all.” (The Guardian)
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