Many homeless, jobless as taskforce demolishes mechanic village

Juliana Francis

Jejeloye

Many Nigerians residing in Lagos State may be out of jobs and homes, following the demolition of two mechanic villages in the state by the Lagos State Environmental and Special Offenses Unit (Taskforce).

In a statement signed by the taskforce Director, Press and Public Affair, Gbadeyan Abdulraheem, it mentioned that the agency demolished two illegal mechanic villages and evicted their occupants.

It, however, never mentioned where the occupants had been given as an alternative or relocated to continue with their work.  

The affected villages are located at Festac, opposite Area E Police Station and Maroko powerline. The agency explained that the villages were located under high tension cables and were cleared as part of the state governments’ commitment and effort to safeguard the lives of its citizenry and beautify the state, to have a serene, safe, and secure environment based on the existing masterplan of the state.

Abdulraheem said the clearing up exercise which took place simultaneously on Saturday morning was supervised by the Chairman of the Agency, CSP Shola Jejeloye who disclosed that a series of warnings and notices were served to the illegal occupants of both locations, but they allegedly were adamant to relocate, hence the need for the Agency to take the drastic measure to save the state from environmental degradation.

Jejeloye said: “The exercise was necessary to further help beautify the state and reduce the habitat of street urchins and hoodlums who usually make use of such locations as a safe haven after perpetrating crimes and nefarious activities in town. Any human activities under the High-Tension cables are suicidal, and no responsible government will watch her citizenry die an avoidable and careless death without taking a precautionary measure to stop.”

The Maroko powerlines which were also cleared up by the Agency were marked by the State Government for beautification project which will further translate to greener Lagos as part of T.H.E.M.E.S. The agenda of Mr. Governor is to achieve zero tolerance for Environmental degradation in the state.

 

Jejeloye highlighted the need for such actions due to the incessant environmentally challenging activities carried out by the occupants who defecate openly and burn refuse indiscriminately.

He stated: “Residents complain regularly about the constant burning of refuse and tyres by the illegal occupants. Actions like these are hazardous to one’s health and harmful to the environment. It will no longer be tolerated once this exercise is concluded.”

He explained that the State Government would move into these locations immediately to begin the developmental action plans which the sites were originally mapped for. He, however, promised Lagosians that Shanties and Illegally occupied land in the State would no longer be a hiding place for criminal elements as they would be taken by the State Government in due time.

Consequently, Jejeloye had initiated serious discussions with relevant Government Agencies in ensuring the allocation of the large expanse of land for mechanic villages in all the nook and crannies of the State, particularly around Ibeju-Lekki axis to discourage the haphazard and illegal development of mechanic villages in the State.