Following the fire incident which gutted some makeshift shops and containers under the Eko bridge at Oke Arin, Apongbon this morning which affected some section of the bridge, the Lagos State Government has given a 48 hours notice to squatters under the Eko bridge in Oke Arin area of Apongbon, Lagos Island to vacate the area.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Central Business Districts , Mr. Gbenga Oyerinde gave the notice at the commencement of the removal of containers and makeshift shops affected by the fire incident under the Eko bridge at Oke Arin, Akpongbon, Lagos Island to forestall spreading to other parts of the area.
The Special Adviser while commending the prompt response of the men of the Lagos State Fire Services for their quick response in curtailing the fire incident said containers and makeshift shops will no longer be allowed at the section affected by fire under the bridge henceforth warning that anyone who flout the directive to stay clear from using under the bridge for storage or trading will be arrested and prosecuted.
Oyerinde who decried the non adherence to safety guidelines despite several meetings held with leaders of the market associations and CDAs on the need to take issues of safety seriousness noted that the issue of fire outbreak under the Eko bridge at Oke Arin may become endemic if steps are not taken to forestall future occurrence due to the negligence and non adherence to safety protocols within the area.
Addressing traders using the area to trade illegally, the Special Adviser, along side the Permanent Secretary, LASEMA, Dr Olufemi Oke- Osanyintolu and other State Officials counsel them on the need to remove structures placed or erected under the burnt section of the bridge which could hamper rescue operations by operatives of LASEMA curtailing the spread of the fire incident to other parts of the area.
He noted that the cause of the recent fire outbreak which has not been fully ascertained may be as a result of storage of explosive and combustive materials stored in some of the containers located under the bridge.
Several makeshift shops and containers under the Eko bridge at Oke Arin, Apongbon this morning went up in flames affecting some section of the bridge which necessitated the blockage of both end of the bridge to forestall more damages to motoring public who may not be aware of the fire incident.