No Tolerance for Squatting Under Bridges, Hardship Not an Excuse Say Sanwo-Olu

The Lagos State Government emphasized that hardship does not justify occupying spaces under bridges or other public areas, as stated by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s Chief Press Secretary, Gboyega Akosile, on Sunday.

Responding to inquiries about alternatives for individuals who may cite poverty as a reason for trading or sleeping under bridges, Akosile emphasized that public spaces should not be turned into homes regardless of people’s living standards.

“There’s a master plan for the state; it’s just unfortunate that people turn public space into homes. We cannot surrender the state to lawlessness and hooliganism, and this applies to all public spaces, not just Obalende,” he stressed.

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Regarding efforts to alleviate people’s suffering, Akosile highlighted the government’s initiatives in housing, particularly for low-salary earners, stating that individuals employed in Lagos should be able to afford some of the government’s housing schemes.

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Governor Sanwo-Olu, accompanied by his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, and other state officials, inspected the ongoing cleanup at Obalende under-bridge and Ijora Causeway under-bridge on Sunday.

During one of the visits, Governor Sanwo-Olu reiterated that the under-bridge areas would be transformed into recreation spaces and would not be allowed for residential or trading purposes.

“(The under-bridge) is not a house; we will find a way to support you elsewhere. We will not turn this place into homes. We will make it a sports ground and for other useful purposes. I heard some people are making shops, rooms, and parlors here; there’s nothing like that again. No government will allow people to reside under the bridge,” Sanwo-Olu emphasized.