Lagos govt cracks down on illegal trading under bridges
Lagos State Government has issued a firm warning to traders illegally operating beneath vital infrastructure such as the Idumagbo Bridge and the Third Mainland Bridge.
These areas, particularly around Oja Oba and Adeniji Adele, will no longer be tolerated as the government intensifies efforts to mitigate flooding through major drainage and infrastructure projects.
The warning followed an inspection tour conducted on Saturday, July 19, 2025, by the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab.
The tour revealed substantial progress in the state’s flood control initiatives and underscored the need for continued public cooperation.
Wahab noted that the ongoing construction of the Onikoyi/Turnbull drainage collector, designed to link Banana Island and Park View Estate, will drastically reduce flooding in those upscale areas once completed. He also disclosed that several street-level drains are being expanded to connect with larger collectors in order to better handle runoff, particularly in the frequently inundated Banana Island axis.
However, the commissioner expressed concern over the resurgence of unregulated commercial activity beneath cleared bridge areas, warning that such actions undermine the state’s long-term infrastructure plans.
“Let me make this clear: public safety must take precedence over informal trading.
“These structures are not intended for market activity, they are critical flood control assets,” Wahab stated.
He also cautioned that those who continue to ignore the state’s directives are not only endangering themselves and others but could later shift blame to the government when preventable disasters occur.
To address the misuse of these spaces, the Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency, LASPARK, has approved the conversion of the affected zones into formal green spaces and regulated parks. Until those plans are implemented, all unauthorized trading activities must cease.
Wahab stressed that the success of the state’s resilience and infrastructure projects depends on strict public compliance.
“Lagos is committed to building systems that protect lives and property, but we cannot do it alone. Every resident must respect these efforts if we are to succeed,” he concluded.
