The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, issued the notice while addressing the media after an inspection tour to Savage/Elegbata Bombata Drainage channel around Olowogbowo/ Apongbon axis in Lagos Island, saying that nagative human activities in the axis massively contribute to flooding and posed serious threat to lives and properties.

He explained that the tour became necessary because it was observed that the setback of the two critical drainage collectors which are Bombata / Olusi and the Alagbafo collector have been converted into shops/stalls, adding that the channels were initially not captured in that could can hamper the success of the regeneration.

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“I have instructed that the shop/stall owners be served abatement notice; we are going to clear these infractions and keep the maintenance work going while ensuring that the contract is revisited to accommodate these two collectors,” he said.

Wahab who observed during the inspection that traders selling livestocks had also converted under Apongbon bridge to a ranch and livestock market, thereafter ordered an immediate relocation of the livestock traders to designated markets saying they were contributors to blockage to the two collectors in the area.

According to him, “What we saw is not something that we are happy about. People have fully built on setback and drainage channels and when you build structures on these infrastructure, how do you expect these infrastructure to be maintained.”

“We have abused these infrastructure and I have given directives to the appropriate department to serve notice of abatement and if compliance is not carried out enforcement will commence,” he added

He said the government could not fold its hands and allow anyone turn Lagos State to an Hobbesian state “where life becomes nasty, brutish and short,” saying that infrastructure were built for public use but some people turned them to their shops and the state government will stop the bad behaviours right away.

He said all concerned stall owners would be served contravention/abatement notices while the Ministry officials would come back to monitor the level of compliance after 48 hours.

The Commissioner warned developers and residents that dump building materials on the roads and drainage channels  causing serious blockage to natural flow of water to desist from such acts while ordering the immediate sealing of 2 buildings under construction , one on Alakoro Martins Street (No 109) and another one in Ebute Ero market  for dumping of building materials on the drainage channels.

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Mr Taofiq Adebayo, Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment, of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, disclosed this in a statement on Monday in Lagos.

“The 488 vehicles were apprehended by LASTMA operatives at various strategic locations, including Ikorodu; Maryland; Anthony; Apongbon; Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway; Ojuelegba, and Oyingbo,” he said.

Adebayo admonished motorists, both private and commercial, to desist forthwith from the continued violation of BRT lanes regulation across the state.

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He said that all offenders had been charged to the Lagos State Mobile Court for prosecution.

“Particular attention is drawn to motorists traversing the Abule-Egba BRT corridor.

“They are strongly urged to cease further contraventions, as the Lagos State Public Works Corporation, LSPWC, has recently completed extensive road rehabilitation from Abule-Egba to Iyana-Ipaja, especially near ‘Super Ile-Epo’ and ‘Gatankowa Market.’

“The road’s improved condition renders the unlawful use of BRT lanes both redundant and inexcusable,” he said.

He reiterated that motorists plying routes from Abule-Egba through Iyana-Ipaja, Dopemu, and Oshodi must strictly adhere to designated lanes.

He added that any individual found encroaching upon the BRT lanes would be duly prosecuted by the Lagos State Mobile Court.

“While the Lagos State government remains resolute in its mission to provide cutting-edge infrastructure for the benefit of all citizens, such efforts require the active cooperation of road users.

“Motorists are thus enjoined to exhibit discipline and patience, fostering a safer and more efficient traffic environment,” Adebayo said.

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The Federal Controller of Works, Lagos, Mrs Olukorede Kesha, made this known in a statement, early hours , on Saturday in Lagos.

The Federal Ministry of Works plans essential asphalt resurfacing work on Eko Bridge and Ramps for eight weeks effective from Friday, September 20, by 7.00 a.m, through Nov. 20.

“The closure will be full at some sections of the bridge and partial at other sections.

“This critical project aims to improve road safety and enhance the driving experience of motorists.

“The work involves milling of the existing asphalt and relaying new asphalt on the bridge and Ramps. This will address wear and tear and ensure a smoother, safer roadway.”

According to her, due to the closure, there will be detours and alternate routes for drivers.

READ ALSO: Lagos deploys more motorcycles to combat ‘one chance’ robbery

Providing information on how to navigate the area during the closure, she said motorists going to the Island from Funsho Williams Avenue, should use the service lane at Alaka to connect Costain and access Eko Bridge.

“Island: Access Costain to connect Eko Bridge and link Apongbon.

“Apongbon inwards Eko Bridge: Link Costain to access Funsho Williams Avenue.

“For Costain inwards Alaka/Funsho Williams Avenue: Pass through Apapa Road from Costain and link Oyingbo to access Adekunle then link to the Third Mainland Bridge.

“Surulere: Use Costain to link Breweries inwards the Abebe Village to connect Eric Moore/Bode Thomas,” she said.

Kesha urged residents and businesses in the affected area to plan their travel accordingly.

The Federal Controller of Works assured the public that appropriate signage and traffic control measures would be in place to guide drivers and pedestrians.

She apologised for any inconvenience that might cause saying that she appreciated the public’s patience and cooperation as the ministry works to improve the country’s infrastructure.

Source: NAN

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The bridge was severely damaged at Apogbon section during a fire caused by illegal trading under it.

The intensity of the inferno was said to have weakened major components and supporting pillars of the bridge, prompting its closure for extensive repair on the entire stretch.

Eko Bridge is one of the three bridges linking the mainland to the Island of Lagos.

The bridge’s reopening brought huge relief for motorists and commuters, who endured months of pain transiting in and out of Lagos Island.

READ ALSO: Fire: FG shuts another section of Eko Bridge

Scores of excited commuters, on Saturday evening, received Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Federal Comptroller of Works, Engr. Olukorede Keisha, at a drive through ceremony for the reopening of the flyover.

Sanwo-Olu said the repair at the Apogbon axis had been completed, but disclosed that maintenance work would continue on the infrastructure, which would lead to intermittent closures in the coming months.

The governor conveyed the federal government’s apology to Lagos residents for the delay in getting the bridge back to use, stressing that it would be risky to reopen the bridge without proper reconstruction of the damaged section.

Sanwo-Olu said: “It is with great delight to announce that we have carried out comprehensive tests with the contractor from the Federal Ministry of Works and we believe that Apogbon section of the Eko Bridge can now be opened for motorists. But the maintenance work on the entire bridge has not completed. There are lots of bearings that still need to be reinforced along the entire stretch of the infrastructure.

“In future, there will be more intermittent closures at different sections of the bridge but the period may not be longer than one or two weeks. This is necessary for us to jerk up the bridge and complete the maintenance work. We are reopening the bridge to bring relief to road users, who have endured hardship due to the repair work.”

The governor said the contractor handling the work would also be reconstructing ancillary roads along the corridor to prevent further misuse of the bridge.

Sanwo-Olu said continuous trading activities under the bridge would no longer be permitted to prevent further damage to the flyover.

The governor issued a seven-day ultimatum to all traders and illegal squatters to remove their belongings and vacate the space under the Eko Bridge.

He directed the Lagos State Environment and Special Offences Enforcement Unit (Taskforce) to clear any illegal structure found under the bridge after the ultimatum.

He said: “We are using this medium to warn those trading under the bridge that we will not tolerate any form of illegal activities under this bridge and other bridges in the State. The bridges are important assets to the State and we cannot fold our arms and allow a few people to destroy them.

“We have seen the effect which the destruction on Eko Bridge caused the entire city. We cannot afford to have these bridges shut down again because of illegal activities. We will clear all squatters from Ijora Olopa to Costain and there will be zero tolerance for market activity under the bridge.”

Keisha thanked Lagos State government for collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Works to hasten up the repair work on the bridge, noting that the reopening of the bridge was made possible because of the intervention of the state government.

She said comprehensive maintenance work had already started on Eko Bridge before the fire incident happened, which made the contractor to abandon the work to focus on the damaged sections.

Having repaired the parts damaged by the fire, Keisha said the contractor would continue the maintenance work to reinforce the bridge for public safety.

She said: “The reopening of the bridge would not have been possible if the Lagos State government had not come to our rescue. If not for the intervention of the state government, what is happening here would not be achieved. We appreciate this collaboration and timely support. Having considered the hardship on motorists, Governor Sanwo-Olu brought the machinery of the state to the assistance of the federal government and get the work done.”

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The Federal Controller of Works in Lagos State, Mrs Olukorede Kesha, gave the hint in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, after a meeting with the contractors on the project.

Kesha, rising from the meeting with Buildwell Plants and Equipment Industries Ltd, contractors handling both projects, said the firm gave expert advice on the need to complete some critical aspects.

She said there were some underlying repairs that must be completed before re-opening, to ensure durability of the infrastructure, while appealing for patience and understanding of road users.

“We had an extensive meeting today, so we all agreed that we will open the two bridges finally mid-July.

“There are some underlying works that are better for us to finish once and for all, than to open it (bridges) then after few months we now say that we still want to jerk them.

“We are aware of the discomfort the motoring public are going through at the moment but they should just bear with federal government.

“We are doing everything possible to ensure that the contractor finishes on or before July 15,” she said.

Both bridges were razed by fire caused by human activities in 2022.

Apongbon Bridge was affected by fire in March, 2022 and efforts for its December completion were stalled by another fire that affected the Ijora Olopa section of Eko Bridge on November 4.

The delivery date for Apongbon Bridge was extended to May 2023 because some materials for its repairs were used to start emergency repair of Ijora Olopa section.

The 4.1km Eko Bridge links the Lagos Island with Mainland.

It directly links  Apongbon on the Island side.

Eko Bridge had been undergoing phased rehabilitation but contract for its comprehensive maintenance was awarded in February 2022.

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The operation was part of NAFDAC’s efforts to eradicate fake, unwholesome, and counterfeit alcoholic and non-alcoholic wines and drinks from circulation.

Anita Dabor, Head of Unit, NAFDAC, said that many of the offending products were sold by merchants underneath the bridge.

“They were mopped up and they include very popular brands of wines and spirits.

“During the mop-up operation, a transport vehicle containing an array of drinks including Japata (a herbal drink that failed laboratory tests) was found hidden in the vehicle.

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“The offending products were confiscated and evacuated.

“Attempts to apprehend the supplier of the Japata in the market proved abortive.

“The products mopped up from the market are valued at N8,000,000.’’

“However, the investigation is ongoing,’’ she said.

According to her, NAFDAC is fully alive to her responsibilities of ensuring the safety, wholesomeness, and quality of foods and other regulated products offered for sale to the public.

“Consumers are hereby advised to be vigilant and exercise discretion when making purchases, especially during this festive season, and report suspicious activities to the nearest NAFDAC office across the federation,” she said.

Source: NAN

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The governor said all illegal traders under the damaged bridge had till Wednesday (next two days) – the day the ultimatum will lapse – to vacate the site and remove their belongings, after which Environmental Taskforce officers will move in to clear wreckage left under the bridge, following last Wednesday fire outbreak allegedly caused by inflammables stored under the bridge.

Sanwo-Olu was at the site of the inferno at Apogbon area alongside his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, and cabinet members, for an on-the-spot assessment of the level of damage on the 48-year-old infrastructure.

Following the fire incident, the government indefinitely suspended vehicular movement on the affected part of the bridge to allow for safety test and integrity examination on the facility.

Five market groups used the open space under the bridge at the Oke Arin section of the Eko bridge for commercial activities.

They are Aromoleti Esho market, Shoe and Bag market, Irewolede market, ECOWAS market and Asejere market.

The inferno allegedly erupted from the area where wine traders occupied.

On sighting Sanwo-Olu at the site, a crowd of traders affected by the fire incident gathered and made passionate appeal to the governor not to shut the market.

But their plea met a stiff resistance from Sanwo-Olu, who insisted that the traders’ unsafe practices led to the situation that caused the fire outbreak, which wreaked havoc on the busy bridge.

The governor bemoaned persistent destruction on vital public infrastructure within the state, disclosing that Lagos had recorded major damage on eight bridges across the state in the last two years.

The development, Sanwo-Olu said, usually takes a toll on socio-economic activities and slows down productivity.

He said: “We have issued a seven-day notice to all illegal occupiers under the bridge. We have gone to see the extent of the destruction in the bridge; it is an unfortunate incident and the situation that caused the fire was a clear indication of how public assets should not be used. I want to reiterate that our ultimatum is still on and Wednesday is the deadline. Anybody that has anything valuable to him must remove it now, because we are starting extensive clearing of the site.

“Between last two years and now, we have had eight fire incidents on our bridges. Each time something like this happens, it affects everyone of us and the economy. The implication is far reaching and this will not be accepted as a norm. It costs more resources to put the damaged bridges back in shape and the activity takes more time to be completed. We cannot continue to have a few people who are engaging in actions that cause damage to public assets to put everyone at risk.”

Sanwo-Olu said the state and the federal government would be conducting a joint investigation on the affected parts of the bridge to ascertain the level of rehabilitation work required to put it back in shape.

He said the reopening of the closed section of the bridge may not happen until after structural engineers completed their investigation and certified it for use.

He said the government’s main focus in the interim was to bring normalcy back to vehicular movement along the routes and ease the pain commuters are going through in the axis.

The governor directed removal of vehicles parked on the elevating ramp at Ebute Ero towards Constain and ordered the presence of police and traffic officers to manage movement around alternative routes in and out of Marina.

He said: “Once we can be orderly in movement across alternative routes, we would have eased journey time for commuters and people can still see that the movement to and from Eko Bridge at Apogbon axis has certainly not been hindered. The Federal Ministry of Works that owns the asset should come back and work collaboratively with us to ensure that normalcy returns as soon as possible.”

Addressing the traders, Sanwo-Olu told them that commercial activities would be restricted under the bridge, pointing out that plans were being made to relocate the traders to places where they would safely conduct their businesses.

Aside from slowing down traffic, the governor said activities under the bridge raised security concerns for the traders and commuters.

“We can all see that the traders have refused to take care of public assets. All of the things that were happening under the bridge are totally unacceptable. Our government is not about making life difficult for our citizens. The citizens should know that their commercial activities need to be done in places that have been designated as proper markets.

“The state government is working with the local government chairman and the representatives of the affected traders to identify where we can relocate the displaced traders immediately, so that they do not lose their source of livelihood. If we should allow the traders to be back under the bridge and go back to how things were being done, it means that we are being reckless,” Sanwo-Olu said.

The governor and members of the state’s cabinet also visited Obalende Bridge for evaluation of the safety of the infrastructure.

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NEMA South-West Zonal Coordinator, Mr Ibrahim Farinloye, made the announcement on Wednesday in Lagos.

“The alternative routes are: movements from Ikorodu Road, take detour via Jibowu to connect Yaba through to Oyingbo or Adekunle, from there to Adeniji and Adeniji to Ebute Ero or continue movements toward CSM or inner Marina.

“Second route for those going to Ijora, Constain or inner part of Surulere, can continue through the crawling movement to connect Eko Bridge, take a detour to Ijora and continue journey to Apapa or toward Leventis, UBA roundabout to connect Marina.

“The Federal Ministry of Works have been called upon to close the bridge and carry out integrity tests to determine the safety of the bridge for further usage,’’ Farinloye said.

The cause of the fire, which razed many shops, is yet to be ascertained.

Source: NAN

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