The Lagos State Government has announced plans to carry out a comprehensive redesign of the Obalende Underbridge as part of efforts to ensure better use of public spaces and improve the environment in the area.
The Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, made this known on Wednesday while speaking to journalists after an inspection tour of Obalende and its surrounding neighbourhoods.
According to Wahab, the redesign project is part of the state government’s broader plan to turn underutilised spaces into useful and safe areas that meet the needs of a modern city like Lagos.
Wahab recalled that government officials had earlier visited the Obalende Underbridge in late 2024 to assess the condition of the area and carry out a cleanup exercise.
At the time, the underbridge was known for poor sanitation, illegal structures, and overcrowding, which posed environmental and safety risks.
He said the government is now ready to move beyond cleanup efforts and take more permanent steps to improve the space.
“We are returning to Obalende because we are ready to officially hand over the space to one of the largest corporate bodies, which has agreed to take it on as part of its corporate social responsibility initiative,” Wahab said.
He explained that the handover process to the corporate organisation would begin immediately.
Under the arrangement, the corporate organisation will redesign, clean, and manage the Obalende Underbridge in line with environmental and sustainability standards.
Wahab said the decision to involve a private company under a corporate social responsibility, or CSR, framework is aimed at ensuring long-term maintenance and proper management of the space.
“The underbridge will be redesigned and cleaned in an environmentally responsible way,” he said.
He added that although approval for the project was given in 2024, the government delayed implementation to allow for careful planning and consultations.
According to the commissioner, the delay was necessary to agree on a design that matches the state’s sustainability goals and the vision of the corporate partner.
“There were extensive consultations to ensure that the final design aligns with sustainability standards and the objectives of both the state government and the corporate organisation,” Wahab explained.
He noted that the government wanted to avoid past mistakes where projects were rushed without proper planning, leading to poor maintenance and limited impact.
Wahab revealed that the redesigned Obalende Underbridge will continue to function as a garage, reflecting its current use by commercial drivers.
However, the new plan will introduce additional facilities to improve safety, hygiene, and order.
These include public toilets, designated sleeping bays, and improved layout to reduce congestion.
“Our goal is to transform the space into a functional and habitable environment that reflects the needs of a 21st-century economy and a modern city like Lagos,” Wahab said.
He added that the corporate partner would take full responsibility for the long-term maintenance of the facility once the handover is completed.
The commissioner assured journalists that the final design would be shared with the media and the public at the appropriate time.
Under-bridges across Lagos often serve as informal shelters, motor parks, markets, or storage spaces. While they provide some level of support for daily activities, many of them suffer from poor planning, waste buildup, and security challenges.
Successive administrations in Lagos have identified under-bridge areas as key spaces that can be transformed to support urban life if properly managed.
Wahab said the Obalende project is part of a wider plan to ensure that all underbridge spaces in the state are put to productive use.
“Public spaces like these should serve meaningful purposes,” he said.
The commissioner pointed to other examples where underbridge spaces have been successfully repurposed.
He noted that the underbridge at Osborne has been converted into a football facility, providing a safe recreational space for young people.
He also revealed that the Lagos Island Local Government has developed a separate redesign plan for the Oja Oba Underbridge.
According to him, these efforts show the government’s commitment to improving urban planning and making better use of available land.
Obalende is a busy area located between Lagos Island and Ikoyi, serving as a major transport hub for commuters moving between different parts of the city.
The underbridge is often crowded with vehicles, traders, and people seeking shelter, making it a sensitive location for any redevelopment project.
Residents and commuters have long complained about traffic congestion, waste disposal issues, and security concerns in the area.
Urban planners say a well-designed underbridge could help reduce these problems while improving the quality of life for people who use the space daily.
Wahab stressed that the redesign will focus on environmental responsibility, including proper waste management and sanitation.
The inclusion of public conveniences is expected to reduce open defecation and improve hygiene in the area.
Designated sleeping bays, he explained, will help manage the presence of people who currently sleep under the bridge in unsafe conditions.
He said the project is not aimed at displacing people without alternatives but at creating a safer and more organized environment.
While many Lagos residents have welcomed the announcement, some have called for transparency and community engagement throughout the process.
They want assurances that the project will be completed on time and maintained properly.
Others have urged the government to replicate the initiative in other parts of the city where underbridges remain neglected.
With the planned handover to the corporate partner, the Lagos State Government believes the Obalende Underbridge will become a model for how public spaces can be transformed through partnerships.
Wahab said the project reflects the state’s vision of building a cleaner, safer, and more organized Lagos.