The Lagos State Government has commenced the removal of illegal shanties, makeshift shops and market stalls erected along the median of the Lagos-Badagry Expressway as part of efforts to restore order and support the ongoing reconstruction of the highway.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu disclosed this in a post on his official X handle, stressing that the state would not permit the median of the expressway to be used as a market, settlement or location for unauthorized structures.
According to the governor, the clearance exercise is necessary as the Lagos-Badagry Expressway is being transformed into a modern 10-lane highway aimed at improving transportation and enhancing the state’s infrastructure.“We have begun clearing the illegal shanties and market stalls built along the median of the Lagos-Badagry Expressway.
As we rebuild the Lagos-Badagry Expressway into a modern 10-lane highway, we cannot allow its median to become a market, a settlement or a site for illegal structures,” Sanwo-Olu stated.
The governor described the practice of trading, erecting makeshift structures and residing on the median of a major highway as unsafe, unlawful and unacceptable, noting that such activities pose risks to road users and undermine urban planning efforts.
Sanwo-Olu also urged residents to embrace discipline and respect for public infrastructure, arguing that compliance with regulations is essential for Lagos to attain the standards of leading global cities.
He said many residents often compare Lagos with developed cities around the world without recognizing that such cities thrive because citizens obey rules and protect public assets.
The governor further condemned indiscriminate waste disposal and the construction of illegal structures along highways, warning that such actions hinder the state’s quest for a cleaner, safer and more organized environment.
“If we want a cleaner, safer and more organised Lagos, discipline and personal responsibility must become part of our everyday culture. That is how we build a city we can all be proud of,” he added.
The Lagos-Badagry Expressway reconstruction project is one of the state’s major infrastructure initiatives aimed at easing traffic congestion, improving connectivity and supporting economic activities along the corridor.
