By Akinwale Kasali
The Lagos State Government is set to demolish not less than 86 Partitioned Apartments measuring 10×10 and 12×10 on Lagos Island beneath the Dolphin Estate Bridge in Ikoyi.
It was gathered that the occupants of these apartments pay a whopping sum of N250,000 annually.
Making this disclosure is the Commissioner of Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, said the discovery remains shocking to the Lagos State Government, which is set to demolish these rooms and return sanity to the area.
Wahab made this known on his X Handle (formerly Twitter), that all structures—including a container used for several illicit activities—had been successfully removed from beneath the Dolphin Estate bridge by the Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources’ enforcement squad.
“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”.
Also confirming this development is Kunle Rotimi-Akodu, Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo Olu on Environment, who revealed that squatters from beneath the bridge towards Dolphin Estate in Ikoyi are currently being evicted over illegal settlement and environmental violations.
Rotimi-Akodu mentioned that 23 individuals were arrested during the eviction, which was carried out by officials of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps, popularly known as KAI.
“ Squatters dwelling under the bridge leading from inward Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi were evicted Tuesday, 30th of April, 2024 by officials of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps LAGESC (aka KAI). These people created their illegal settlements 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.
He also confirmed that the bridge has hitherto housed 86 rooms, partitioned into 10×10 and 12×10 with squatters paying an average rent of N250,000 per annum.
“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,” he wrote.
