Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, from Lagos state, said on Monday that the eviction notice issued to shopkeepers on the Apongbon Bridge after last week’s fire would not be reversed.
The governor told reporters during an inspection of the bridge that the seven-day notice would end on Wednesday and merchants in the area are expected to have evacuated their goods.
Last Wednesday, a fire broke out around 2 am under the Apongbon Bridge. The fire lasted for hours and led to the destruction of the market under the bridge.
“This is a clear testimony of how public goods should not be used. So, we have given a seven-day notice and I want to reiterate that it is still in effect,” he said.
“So, Wednesday is the deadline.”
The governor said that commercial activities must be carried out in a “proper market” or places designated for it.
However, he said he will work with the CBD special adviser, local government presidents and merchant representatives to make provisions for another location for merchants affected by the fire incident.
“And we’ll see how we’ll bring in representatives of the merchants, we can identify them well, we can reassign or relocate them very quickly,” Sanwo-Olu said.
“There are some things we’re going to do to make sure they don’t lose their source of livelihood. But to go back to how it’s been done, that means we’re being reckless.”
Sanwo-Olu said structural engineers will assess the area after “extensive cleanup,” adding that “I can’t begin to speculate how long it will take and what form the rehabilitation will take. That’s for the experts to say.”
He said that between last year and now there have been eight fire incidents “on our bridges.”
“Normal”
Sanwo-Olu said his government will bring normalcy to the area and especially to motorists on the road.
The governor said there will be “enough” road signs for motorists to access Lagos Island.
“Let me reiterate, for the merchants, I have seen all your signs, it is unfortunate that you refused to take care of public goods and all the things that were happening under this bridge are totally unacceptable,” Sanwo-Olu said.
During the governor’s inspection, the merchants carried different banners pleading not to be “persecuted.”