Mobolaji Michael
IN keeping with its commitment to maintain and sustain a serene and habitable environment, free from security encumbrances and occurrences, the Lagos State Task Force today embarked on the demolition of shanties along Lekki Coastal Road and its environs which are areas mapped out by the state government to serve as an alternate route to motorists along that axis when completed.
The demolition exercise, which was led by the Chairman of the Agency, CSP Shola Jejeloye, took place following the service of an eviction notice on the illegal occupants who had constructed makeshift buildings, some of which were constructed right under high-tension cables running through the area. 
CSP Jejeloye pointed out that the shanties not only constitute health and safety risks to residents in the area but also serve as a haven for criminals who make use of such locations as hideouts.
“This is the third major enforcement we are carrying out in this very location as we did two years ago and even last year. Some of the kiosks are built under the high tension cable which is very dangerous”.
The Chairman, in a statement signed by Gbadeyan Abdulraheem, Director, Press and Public Affairs, Lagos State Task Force, also disclosed that the shanties, which were built with wood, caught fire some weeks ago and led to the partial burning of a building across the fence where the shanties are located. 
“It would have been a more serious incident but for the prompt intervention of the Lagos State Fire Service that put out the fire which started from the shanties. Gross disregard for safety precautions would always give room to unsafe conditions, and this is why we have come to put an end to it today”.
The Chairman assured Lagosians and residents of the Lekki Coastal axis to rest assured that the shanties will never be allowed to spring back up again, promising that he would station men from the Agency to monitor the axis henceforth.
CSP Jejeloye further appealed to residents and Community Development Associations (CDAs) of the area to collaborate and come up with sustainable plans including employing private security men to monitor the axis in order to prevent any unscrupulous individuals from erecting such makeshift structures in future
He promised that the Agency will not rest on its oars till criminality is stamped out and the environment is free from activities that could lead to the loss of lives and property.
Eighteen-Eleven Media