The Lagos State Government has issued a final directive to squatters and operators of unauthorised motor parks in the Obalende area to vacate the premises, as arrangements are underway to transfer the site to a corporate body for redevelopment.
The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, made this known while speaking to journalists after an inspection tour of the Obalende motor park, sections beneath the Adeniji Bridge, and the Oja-Oba axis on Lagos Island.
Wahab explained that the visit marked the last phase of a clean-up operation aimed at removing illegal occupants and motor park operators from the affected locations. He noted that the handover process had already begun and was expected to be completed within a short period.
According to the commissioner, the space beneath the Obalende bridge had been earmarked for redevelopment since 2024, and occupants had been served three separate eviction notices. However, the project was delayed until 2026 due to prolonged negotiations with a corporate partner to develop a sustainable design that aligns with corporate social responsibility goals and ensures long-term maintenance by the state.
He disclosed that the redesigned facility would still include a motor garage, in addition to public conveniences, sleeping areas, electric vehicle charging stations and other modern amenities. Wahab described the current exercise as the final stage of the official handover and called on all affected individuals to comply fully.
Addressing fears that displaced occupants might move to other locations, the commissioner clarified that the initiative was not meant to displace people but to transform the area into a safe, functional and environmentally sustainable space. He said the redevelopment is intended to support a modern urban economy while improving environmental standards.
During the inspection of Oja-Oba, Wahab revealed that the Lagos Island Local Government had indicated interest in managing some of the underbridge spaces previously overseen by the state government.
He added that similar spaces across Lagos have been successfully repurposed for productive use, noting that the Adeniji underbridge would soon be converted into a sustainable and eco-friendly hub.
The commissioner assured residents that the government remains conscious of ongoing economic activities under the bridges and would conduct thorough assessments to reorganise them into suitable clusters rather than abruptly disrupting livelihoods.
