As part of efforts to stop further destruction of homes and property by flood, the Lagos State Task Force has served removal notices to squatters and illegal occupants dwelling in shanties built on canal setbacks in various parts of the state.

Gbadeyan Abdulraheem, the spokesperson for the agency, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, that the move was to curb the incessant flooding experienced during downpours in the metropolis.

“The notices, which were served to settlers today (Thursday) by the chairman of the agency, CSP Adetayo Akerele, were carried out at strategic locations where it had been observed that squatters built shanties and makeshift buildings too close to the drainage system which contravenes the laid down physical planning laws of at least 15 feet from the canal setback,” the statement said.

Akerele described the activities of the squatters as a ticking time bomb due to unpredictable climate change conditions being experienced across various parts of the world.

He further said that shanties spread across various canals like Soluyi Gbaada, Gbagada Bus Stop (Beside Atunrashe Estate), Charlie Boy Bus Stop and Bajulaiye, were all visited and the occupants were notified of the intention of the state to clear the areas.

According to him, reports have also been received by residents and artisans around Gbagada “of the illegal activities of miscreants who also make use of the shanties as their hideout from which they set out to perpetrate crimes, such as bag snatching and car vandalism, around the area.”

He assured the residents that clearing the canal setbacks would serve as an effective crime reduction strategy in the area.

“Shanties have no place in a mega city such as Lagos due to their lack of environmental decorum, habitation of criminals and dephasing of areas where they have been erected,” he added.

Recall that the state government has consistently warned against building on drainage setbacks and had set out to take down structures violating physical planning laws.

Following persistent downpour that led to flooding in many parts the state in early July, the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, noted that the flood was only able to recede following efforts made by the government in clearing drainages and structures built on drainage setbacks, among others.