image credit: Theimpact
On Saturday the Lagos State government, through the office of the State’s commissioner for physical planning and urban development, in the person of Dr Oluyinka and his team, embarked on its proposed plan to reclaim right of way for the Red Rail line.
As part of the Lagos State new city projects, the commissioner has ordered the clearing of shabby hutments and kiosks along the Red Rail line starting from Agbado, Ogun, and EbuteMetta.
This enforcement team was led by the Lagos state’s commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development,
Dr Oluyinka Olumide and his enforcement team flanked by the Special Adviser, e-GIS and Urban Development, Dr Olajide Babatunde and the likes of the general manager, Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), Mr Gbolahan Oki and senior directors of both the agency and ministry were present to effect compliance.
All illegal market stalls along the rail lines were ravaged including four church buildings while others under construction were sealed and marked for demolition; and as some traders hurried to move their articles out of the half-knocked down buildings.
However, the traders were also briefly educated on the danger of occupying the train line for business activities by members of the team; and vowed to arrest and prosecute any trader found within the areas henceforth
“The lives of Lagos residents are more important than any business,” implied the LASBCA boss, as he also emphasised on the government’s insistence to remove the fences of any houses that borders along the Red Rail line as against the state’s Right of way laws.
Olumide, addressing everyone present at the outdoor project inspection, ensured that the enforcement would be sustained to keep the Red Rail Line safe for all residents of Lagos; and advised traders and other business owners to relocate to the organised places of market activities, instructing his team to inspect the every Tuesday and Thursday.
“What we are doing is a clean up of the corridor along the Red Rail Line because the train that is coming is going to be a very fast train.
“It is not advisable for pedestrians to be along the corridor basically for their lives. Life is much more important to the state government. And in that regard we have to clear up all that corridor.
“We will continue to clean up this corridor from the beginning up till the end along the Red Line.
“People must desist from putting up any structure along this corridor. They just must comply because their lives are more important to us.
“Go online and check all rail stations in the world. It is not a place for people to walk, trade or carry out businesses,” Olumide warned.
North-south Red Rail line projected to run from Agbado, Iju, Agege, Ikeja, Murtala Muhammad international airport, Oshodi, Mushin, Yaba, EbuteMeta, Idfo, Ebute Ero, and Marina, covers about 13 stations; and this project has been on top of the Lagos state’s government agenda since the time of governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in office.
