Housing problems in Lagos State seems to be getting out of hand, as we speak, it has gotten to the level where people pay as high as ₦250,000 per annum for a room under a bridge.
These people may not be aware of the risks associated with living under the bridge and how it affects the state’s infrastructure, but the Lagos State government is fully aware of this.
How did we even get here?, this is the question on the minds of many people. Well, what people are saying about this development is a story for another day.
For now, let’s tell you how the Lagos State government discovered 86 partitioned rooms, sized 10×10 and 12×10 under the Dolphin Estate Bridge, Ikoyi, on Lagos Island.
The Shock
Many people were not shocked when they heard the report because living under the bridge in Lagos is not a new thing.
However, Nigerians expressed shock when they heard that tenants pay ₦250,000 per annum, to live under that bridge.
Or could it be the urge to stay on the Island?
Yes, many people are tempted to think towards this direction too.
The discovery was disclosed by Lagos State’s Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, in a terse statement via his X handle.
Wahab stated that the enforcement team of Lagos State’s Ministry of Environment and Water Resources had successfully removed all structures.
Partitioned Rooms
Some of the structures included a container utilised for various illegal activities, from beneath the Dolphin Estate bridge.
He wrote, “A total number of 86 rooms, partitioned into 10×10 and 12×10, and a container used for different illegal activities were discovered under the Dolphin Estate Bridge.
“They have all been removed by the enforcement team of the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources”
Similarly, Kunle Rotimi-Akodu, a Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, also spoke in a post on his X page.
He confirmed the eviction of squatters over illegal settlements and environmental violations.
Illegal Settlement
Rotimi-Akodu mentioned that 23 individuals were arrested during the eviction.
He wrote, “Squatters dwelling under the bridge leading from inward Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi were evicted today Tuesday, April 30, 2024.
It eviction was by the officials of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps LAGESC (aka KAI).
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“These people created their illegal settlement under the bridge, thereby exposing the critical infrastructure to impending destruction.
23 persons have so far been arrested and MoE/KAI will continue to monitor the place. The law will take its course.
“Continuation of the removal of abode under Dolphin bridge. 11 more persons were arrested.
It is important to note that wood materials were used to construct the shelters, some occupants used gas cylinders, and some had stored fuel for their generators, these are recipes for disaster.”
