The Lagos State Government has issued a strict 48-hour deadline for motor boys, truck drivers, roadside traders, and mechanics operating beneath the Marine Beach Bridge in Apapa to vacate the area. This directive forms part of an extensive clean-up campaign aimed at restoring environmental order in Apapa and its surrounding neighborhoods.

The initiative, driven by the Lagos State Government in collaboration with the Nigerian Navy’s Western Naval Command, targets illegal structures, environmental violations, and unsafe practices that have taken root across the area.

Government-Navy Collaboration to Clean Up Apapa

Speaking to journalists during the clean-up exercise on Saturday, May 24, 2025, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment, Engr. Kunle Rotimi-Akodu, described the effort as a “strong partnership” between the Lagos State Government and the Navy. He emphasized that the goal of the initiative is to enhance living conditions and restore sanity to the area.

According to Rotimi-Akodu, the team visited several key areas, including Mobil Road and the Marine Beach Bridge, where shanties and illegal stalls had overtaken public spaces. These unauthorized structures were demolished and cleared by trucks from the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA).

Illegal Activities Under the Bridge

Rotimi-Akodu expressed concern over the growing number of environmental violations in Apapa, especially in motor parks and around roadside mechanic workshops. He said that many motor boys now sleep inside parked trucks, traders openly sell alcohol along the roads, and mechanics have turned public spaces into makeshift garages—all of which are in direct violation of Lagos State’s environmental laws.

“These activities contribute to the deterioration of the environment,” he said. “We cannot allow public spaces to become slums and breeding grounds for crime or health hazards. This joint effort is about reclaiming these spaces for safe and lawful use.”

Eviction Notice to Mechanics and Traders

The Special Adviser revealed that the clean-up team addressed groups of motor boys, drivers, roadside traders, and mechanics during the exercise to educate them on the importance of the operation. As part of this sensitization effort, mechanics operating beneath the Marine Beach Bridge were handed a 48-hour ultimatum to vacate the location.

He stressed that Lagos State does not permit individuals to live in motor parks or to run alcohol businesses in unauthorized locations such as roadsides and shanties. These practices, he said, clearly breach the state’s sanitation laws.

Rotimi-Akodu affirmed that the clean-up drive would continue and eventually reach every corner of Lagos. He called on residents, business operators, and community leaders to support the government’s efforts, warning that the state cannot succeed in building a cleaner environment without full public cooperation.

Navy Describes Initiative as Civil-Military Engagement

Rear Admiral Michael Oamen, Flag Officer Commanding the Western Naval Command, also spoke during the exercise. He described the project as a form of civil-military collaboration designed to improve the environment in Apapa.

“The Navy is fully committed to this initiative because Apapa is our home base,” he explained. “We believe in taking ownership of the communities where we operate. This exercise aligns with our vision of civic responsibility and environmental stewardship.”

Rear Admiral Oamen praised the state government for taking bold steps to address the environmental issues in Apapa and emphasized that the Navy would continue to support efforts aimed at restoring order in the area.

Apapa Local Government Backs the Move

Honourable Idowu Senbanjo, Chairman of Apapa Local Government Area, also praised the partnership between the state and the Navy. He expressed his gratitude to both parties and pledged the full support of the local government to ensure the success of the clean-up operation.

According to Senbanjo, Apapa residents have long suffered the consequences of lawless activities, and this initiative provides a timely intervention to help reverse the damage.

Areas Targeted During the Clean-Up

The joint task force, comprising officials from Lagos State and the Nigerian Navy, focused on several hotspots during the initial phase of the operation. These included:

• Mobil Road

• Under the Marine Beach Bridge

• Surrounding areas of Apapa

In these locations, dozens of makeshift structures, wooden shanties, and illegal stalls were pulled down. LAWMA trucks quickly moved in to remove the debris, restoring some order to previously cluttered areas.

The Road Ahead: Statewide Sanitation Campaign

This clean-up effort marks the beginning of a broader sanitation campaign that will be rolled out across all local governments in Lagos. Officials say the ultimate goal is to enforce environmental laws, reclaim misused public spaces, and improve quality of life for residents.

Rotimi-Akodu reiterated that the state government is not against economic activity or survival efforts but emphasized that all business operations must follow the law. He noted that the sale of alcohol in unregulated areas, roadside mechanics, and makeshift shelters beneath bridges all pose serious risks to public health and safety.

“We need a collective sense of responsibility,” he said. “This isn’t about punishment; it’s about building a cleaner, safer, and more organized Lagos.”

A Call for Public Cooperation

As the clean-up operation continues, the Lagos State Government is urging all residents and stakeholders to take ownership of their environment and support the state’s mission. Officials have made it clear that there will be no compromise in enforcing sanitation laws moving forward.

With the Navy and local government authorities onboard, the state is aiming for a long-term transformation of Apapa and other areas that have been overtaken by illegal activities and environmental neglect.