Ogun to demolish 220 structures within expressway’s 70 meter setback

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NIGERIA: DO you own any religious structure on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and your building falls within the 70 meter road setback by the government?

If yes, definitely your building will be demolished as the Ogun State government has indicated its determination to do so to such structures for road expansion.

The demolition of all obstructing buildings from the Isheri-Ojodu-Berger axis of the road, according to the Senator Ibikunle Amosun-led government, is to ease traffic congestion on the highway.

The State Commissioner for Forestry, Kolawole Lawal, who broke the news at the launch of “Operation Green Ogun” project, explained that the affected structures were considered as shanties.

He spoke at the launch of the project, which is meant to sensitise investors, industrialists, market men and women and leaders of the various transport unions in Abeokuta, the state capital.

Lawal disclosed that no fewer than 220 illegal structures have been identified for demolition between Isheri and Arepo.

He also said that over 100 articulated vehicles and 41 abandoned truck containers would also be affected in the project.
The Commissioner added that the state government was collaborating with religious bodies, firms, residents and other stakeholders around the area to ensure the success of the project.

Lawal, who is the Chairman of the project with coded name “Project GO” explained that the scheme, which was constituted with 18 members for overseeing purposes, was an idea conceived by Amosun out of his passion for a clean environment.

He added that the idea would also make the environment attractive and more beneficial to the road users.
The Commissioner further explained that the project became pertinent in the state with the a view to curbing activities that are detrimental to the environment, particularly to do away with illegal trailer parks on the road sides and to ensure free flow of traffic along the ever-busy expressway.
Lawal said that the 18-man committee, which included commissioners of Environment, Forestry, and Urban and Physical Planning, was saddled with the responsibility of the 70-meter road setbacks on both sides through tree plantings, landscaping, creation of access lanes and constructing barriers and ditches that will prevent indiscriminate parking and erection of structures on the road sides.
The Commissioner further explained that the project would be executed in phases with the first phase beginning from the Isheri area of the expressway running “inbound and outbound” Lagos via Arepo in the Obafemi-Owode Local Government.
Lawal also stated that other parts of the expressway would, however, be subsequently covered to run from Arepo through the Sagamu interchange of the expressway.

The Commissioner also said that the popular Kara Market along the Isheri axis would be relocated to give way to a beautiful metro city.