Lagos — Yaba Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Lagos State, would soon begin the demolition of illegal structures in the area, to compliment efforts of the state government at making the state a Mega City.

The council boss, Jide Jimoh, who spoke with our reporter in his office at the weekend, stated that the council would no longer condone people erecting illegal structures.

According to him, affected structures have been identified and their owners notified to remove such structures or have them demolished.

Areas that would be affected include Simpson Street, UNILAG road, Oyadiran Estates, Adekunle, Borno Way, Sabo, Iwaya road, Onike, Harvey road, Queen Street Akinwunmi Street, Commercial Avenue, Herbert Macaulay Way, among others.

Jimoh also disclosed that the council officials, led by him, stormed the Sabo Modern Market recently and confiscated wares of those selling at unapproved locations, while shutting a particular shop in the market.

He stated that the council had visited the market several times to warn the traders about trading in unapproved places, with little or no response from the traders.

It was also gathered that over 1,000 handset spare parts, being hawked in the open were confiscated to serve as deterrent to others. "There are spaces for them to trade in the market. If they can't carry out their duties, we will help to do it", he stated.

However, the chairman disclosed to Daily Independent that over 1,000 illegal structures and shanties will be demolished in the next few days in Yaba Local Council Development Area (LCDA).

Jimoh also stated that already, illegal shanties, shops and kiosks, at Yaba bus stop, have been cleared, while those trading on the road have been driven away to ensure free flow of traffic.

The proposed demolition, according to him, is to sanitise the council and rid it of nuisance, to ensure orderliness in the area.