Mixed reactions as Lagos government uncovers 86 rooms under bridge

[okohmichael28]

Mixed reactions have trailed the discovery of 86 partitioned rooms beneath the Dolphin Estate Bridge in Ikoyi, Lagos Island where tenants pay N250,000 per year.
The Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, on Wednesday, said the government discovered an apartment under the Dolphin Estate Bridge, Ikoyi, where tenants pay N250,000 annual rent.

According to the commissioner, the under-bridge apartment has 86 partitioned rooms, sized “10×10 and 12×10”.
Wahab shared this information via a post on X.com on Wednesday, along with videos.

He added that the enforcement team of Lagos State’s Ministry of Environment and Water Resources had successfully removed all structures, including a container utilised for various illegal activities, from beneath the Dolphin Estate Bridge.

Sharing videos, the commissioner wrote, “A total number of 86 rooms, partitioned into 10×10 and 12×10, and a container used for different illegal activities were discovered under the Dolphin Estate Bridge.

“They have all been removed by the enforcement team of the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources.”

A Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Kunle Rotimi-Akodu, further confirmed the eviction of illegal settlers from beneath the bridge towards Dolphin Estate in Ikoyi.

Rotimi-Akodu said 23 individuals were arrested during the eviction, which was carried out by officials of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps, popularly known as KAI on Tuesday.

He wrote, “Squatters dwelling under the bridge leading from inward Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi were evicted today Tuesday, 30th of April, 2024 by officials of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps LAGESC (aka KAI).

“These people created their illegal settlement under the bridge, thereby exposing the critical infrastructure to impending destruction. 23 persons have so far been arrested and MoE/KAI will continue to monitor the place. The law will take its course.”

He also confirmed that the bridge has hitherto housed 86 rooms, partitioned into 10×10 and 12×10 with squatters paying an average rent of N250,000 per annum.

“Continuation of the removal of abode under Dolphin bridge. 11 more persons were arrested. It is important to note that wood materials were used to construct the shelters, some occupants used gas cylinders, and some had stored fuel for their generators, these are recipes for disaster,” he added.

He wrote, “Squatters dwelling under the bridge leading from inward Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi were evicted today Tuesday, 30th of April, 2024 by officials of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps LAGESC (aka KAI).’’
These people created their illegal settlement under the bridge, thereby exposing the critical infrastructure to impending destruction. Twenty-three persons have so far been arrested and MoE/KAI will continue to monitor the place. The law will take its course.”

Meanwhile, the development have generated mixed reactions among netizens with many commending the government while others blamed the government, saying if it had provided shelter for residents such a place wouldn’t have been in existence.

@pinkhibiscus4 said; “Living under the bridge means they are homeless not criminals. Is there any social care or housing sir ? How do we care for the sick and needy or homeless ? A question.”

@ozieude; “Homelessness is not a crime!! Government should have housing options to its homeless population! All the big cities in the world has a homeless problem! New York, London, Toronto, California! They all have homeless people and they don’t get rounded up and locked up like in Lagos.”

@scopioguru said; “They should go back to where they came from .. if u don’t have place to stay in Lagos then go back …”

@Pjoe214355211 wrote; “They are not homeless please, they are tenants… some criminals converted the space to rooms which they all PAID for.”