The Lagos State Government on Monday, December 8, 2025, embarked on an extensive assessment tour across parts of the state as part of its ongoing urban regeneration programme, warning that illegal structures, shanties, and buildings under high-tension power lines will no longer be tolerated.
The inspection covered the Oworonshoki–Adekunle corridor of the Third Mainland Bridge and the Makoko axis of Ebute Metta, areas officials say have witnessed persistent encroachment despite years of dialogue with affected communities.
Speaking during the tour, the Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on E-GIS and Urban Development, Dr. Olajide Babatunde, reaffirmed that structures within the legally mandated 60-metre setback from the Third Mainland Bridge cannot remain. He noted that illegal shanties along waterways pose significant safety and environmental risks.
“The Lagos State Government is fully aligned with the Federal Government in ensuring that all highways along our waterways comply with statutory distance requirements,” Babatunde said. He added that discussions with communities violating these laws date back more than 15 years, beginning under the Babatunde Fashola administration, yet many squatters have refused to vacate.
He emphasized that buildings under high-tension power lines represent a danger to lives and will be removed across the state.
Permanent Secretary, Office of Urban Development, Arc. Gbolahan Oki, expressed frustration at the refusal of illegal occupants to adhere to earlier agreements reached during meetings held with them.
“All structures under high-tension power lines in the state will be removed in a matter of days by our enforcement team,” Oki warned.
He added that Lagos’ waterways—which he described as the state’s “gold” and “crude oil”—must be preserved, criticizing NGOs that defend illegal structures instead of educating people on compliance with the law.
At the Adekunle axis of the Third Mainland Bridge, Oki highlighted the emergence of new shanties following the relocation of the Oko Baba sawmill to Agbowa in Ikorodu. He assured that such developments would be cleared soon.
Dr. Babatunde also noted that the proliferation of new shanties taking advantage of the sawmill relocation would not be tolerated. “Our enforcement team will be visiting soon to correct these anomalies,” he said.
General Manager of the Lagos State Urban Renewal Agency (LASURA), TPL ESV Oladimeji Animashaun, echoed the government’s position, urging illegal squatters to vacate immediately as part of the enforcement of the urban regeneration policy.
The assessment team included senior officials from the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, LASURA, LASBCA, and other allied agencies, along with security operatives and members of the press.