The Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Enforcement Agency (Task Force) has promised to evict and arrest illegal occupiers of state government facilities.
The agency stated this after reclaiming, clearing, and demolishing illegal structures from unauthorised occupants on a portion of land allocated to the State Ambulance Services (LASAMBUS).
Shola Jejeloye, chairman of the agency, who coordinated the operation yesterday at Olufemi Street, Bajulaiye in the Shomolu area of the state, said the exercise was long overdue.
According to him, residents of the community had expressed dissatisfaction with the illegal occupation of basic social amenities meant to meet their health needs by a few saboteurs acting in their own self-interest.
Jejeloye, who spoke at the agency’s headquarters in Oshodi, said: “We received complaints from members of the public concerning this space meant for public health services and moved in to evict those who had converted it to a business centre.
“We arrested two individuals, one is the owner of the cafeteria where they sell food, while the other is an artisan, who fixes generators. He tried to prevent Task Force officials from carrying out their jobs.
“A 35-year-old man, Iseoluwa Adekankun, who runs an eatery on the open space, claimed to have acquired the space from the representative of Omo onile, who let it out to him for N50,000 yearly.”
While parading the suspects, Jejeloye warned those in the habit of occupying government property for their personal gains to desist.
“It is selfish and inhuman for anyone to convert amenities meant for public usage to personal property. We will ensure we arrest those involved in such practices within the state. We have had instances in the past where people even converted designated Bus Stops to shops or something else, but this time around we will put an end to the mess. Every economic saboteur undermining the efforts of the State Government will be brought to book,” he added.
Jejeloye also appealed to residents, and community leaders to embrace and take charge of basic amenities provided by the state government to better the lives of citizens.
and ensure that any illegal occupation or usage of such property is reported to the nearest police Station or relevant government agencies.
