Lagos State government has announced plans to demolish illegal market stalls and shanties around the popular Cele Underbridge area in a bid to restore order and safety to the region. The move, which follows increasing concerns over criminal activities, poor waste management, and environmental hazards, is set to take place over the coming days, with officials warning that traders operating without authorization in these areas will have no option but to vacate their stalls.
Speaking to journalists after a tour of the area, the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, expressed his dissatisfaction with the state of affairs around the Cele Underbridge, noting that illegal trading activities and unauthorised construction of shanties had become a growing menace to the society. The inspection of the drainage enforcement along the Lagos-Apapa Oshodi Expressway revealed severe violations of city planning regulations, including widespread waste dumping and obstruction of key drainage systems.
“This is not just about market activities. It has gone beyond that,” Wahab said. “Illegal markets and the construction of shanties under the bridge have led to criminal activities. These are no longer just environmental concerns; they have become a direct threat to public safety and urban sanitation.”
The government’s concerns are based on reports from several enforcement teams that found the area rife with criminal activities, which escalated after vendors set up makeshift shops and illegally built shanties around the key infrastructure. According to Wahab, the presence of such structures is exacerbating drainage blockages and contributing to the poor waste disposal practices that plague the area.
“The situation around the Cele Underbridge is distressing. Not only do we have markets operating in places they shouldn’t be, but waste is also being dumped into one of our primary drainage systems, System 6C,” Wahab stated. “This type of negligence affects the integrity of our drainage system and could lead to serious flooding if not addressed.”
Lagos authorities have been monitoring the area closely since complaints about illegal activities surfaced as early as last year. Despite previous warnings, the situation has worsened, prompting the state government to take more drastic action. Wahab emphasized that the upcoming demolition was necessary to prevent further environmental degradation and to ensure that the area is cleaned up for future development.
“We cannot afford to let this continue. These illegal structures are not only violating city planning codes, but they are also endangering the safety of everyone who lives or works here,” Wahab added. “We’ve been monitoring the activities closely, and it’s clear that we have to act now.”
The enforcement team’s report, which Wahab described as “heart-wrenching,” laid bare the scale of the problem. He pointed out that although efforts to clean the drainage system had been underway, the continual activities in and around the area made it impossible to maintain any lasting impact. “Cleaning the drains alone will not resolve the issue. The human element — the illegal markets and shanties — are the root cause of the problem,” he said.
The government has already served notices to the traders operating in the area, and Wahab confirmed that the demolition process would begin soon. “We gave notice last week, and we will engage with the traders in the next few hours. By the weekend, we expect to have cleared the area of all illegal structures,” he said.
While the demolition will address the immediate problem, Wahab also hinted that the Lagos State government plans to implement more sustainable solutions. “It is not enough to just clear the area. We need long-term solutions. That’s why we’re working with the local government to ensure that proper markets are built for these traders, who are now operating illegally,” he said.
The responsibility of relocating the traders to more suitable locations falls under the jurisdiction of the local government. However, Wahab was optimistic that the local authorities would act in line with the federal allocations designated for infrastructural improvements. “There have been direct allocations from the Federal Government to assist in these kinds of projects. I believe the local government will ensure that the funds are used appropriately,” he added.
For the traders, the demolition is likely to cause some disruption. Many of the vendors at Cele Underbridge rely on their stalls for daily income and have expressed worries about where they will go once the structures are removed. “We don’t have any other place to go,” said one vendor who preferred to remain anonymous. “We’ve been here for years, and now they’re telling us to leave. It’s going to be tough.”
The government has assured traders that they will be given appropriate notice and assistance to move their goods to other authorized locations. “We are not just coming to demolish for the sake of it,” Wahab said. “We want to help them relocate to more suitable areas, where they can operate legally and safely.”
Despite the challenges, the state government insists that the demolition is a necessary step to restore order and cleanliness to one of Lagos’ busiest areas. As the operation begins in earnest, it remains to be seen how the government will balance the needs of traders with the imperative of urban development and safety.
Background Context:
The Cele Underbridge area, which serves as a major junction connecting key highways, has long been a focal point for unregulated trading and illegal constructions. The area has been infamous for its lack of proper sanitation and the presence of shanties that obstruct traffic flow and contribute to the city’s waste management issues. The Lagos State Ministry of Environment has been under pressure to address these challenges and is now moving forward with the mass demolition as part of broader efforts to clean up and regulate the city’s urban landscape.
