Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris has voiced concerns about influential figures allegedly undermining his administration’s goals.

However, at the Uhola Festival and Agricultural Show in Zuru, Gov Idris reaffirmed his commitment to staying focused despite these challenges.

He disclosed instances where individuals from the state reportedly interfered with road development plans he had submitted to the Federal Ministry of Works in Abuja.

He said, “It might interest you to know that someone went and changed the submission we already made on the Koko Dabai Road with that of Bui-Kangiwa-Kamba Road up to the border with Niger Republic at the Ministry of Works in Abuja.

“Whereas the KoKo-Dabai Road needs more urgent attention than the Bui-Kamba Road which is still motorable. I feel sad whenever I come to Zuru because all the three roads linking the town to other places are in bad shape.”

Governor Idris pledged to assemble key figures from the Zuru Emirate, including traditional rulers, for a meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Abuja, aiming to swiftly address the concerning situation.

Emphasizing his administration’s commitment, he affirmed support and financial backing for the annual Uhola Festival, recognizing its importance in fostering cultural promotion for economic development and social unity.

The recent demolition of structures by the Lagos State Government at the Arowojobe and Mende estates in Maryland, Lagos, stirred significant outrage over the weekend.

The government cited the need to reclaim the right of way of the Odo-Iya Alaro channel as the reason behind the exercise.

However, residents strongly objected to the demolition, alleging that they were only provided with a two-hour notice.

In a widely circulated video, a woman lamented the insufficient time given by the government for residents to relocate.

She said, “Happening right now at Mende Villa One. Two hours to pack out? Two hours, that was what the Lagos State Government gave, and they are here demolishing. Mende Villa, this is in Maryland. Where do they want us to put our property?”

Singer Yemi Alade joined the chorus of voices criticizing the government’s actions, expressing her frustration on social media.

She said, “Lagos State, what is going on? Does it make sense that people will invest millions of naira, millions of dollars into real estate, buy houses, buy land and Lagos State (government) will go and be breaking walls, breaking houses, rendering people homeless overnight? And it’s done serially.

“It is done back-to-back. Now Maryland, Mende area is on fire. People are sleeping in their houses, waking up the next day homeless.” she added

Meanwhile, Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, posted on his X account on Saturday, presumably addressing the issue.

Wahab said, “We also visited Mende Villa, Maryland, where the developer initially claimed there was a drainage approval on the property.

“The directors who were in the know of what transpired at the time were invited to speak on the issue but confirmed that the developer was given temporary and conditional approval to leave a 20m setback from the edge of System 1 but he encroached on the setback thereby obstructing the flow of rainwater.

“However, by the magnanimity of Governor @jidesanwoolu, the ROW was approved to be reduced to 100m from 140m and spread on a 60/40 basis (60 Mende/40 Ogudu) instead of the initial 140m sitting on the Mende side.”

He added “The instruction to immediately continue the removal of all structures on the alignment has been given to the enforcement team after the 1st notice to remove was served on them in 2021 and the last notice was served in November 2023 after the meeting with the stakeholders.”

The Lagos State Government has announced a significant initiative aimed at removing more than 100 shanties located beneath the Adeniji Adele bridge.

Scheduled to commence on Monday, May 6, 2024, this operation was disclosed by Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, the State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, during an exclusive interview with news outlets on Sunday.

He said “The Lagos State Government will undertake enforcement action to remove over 100 shanties at Adeniji Adele underbridge from tomorrow, Monday, 6th of May, 2024.

“The removal is coming after the expiration of a 48-hour removal notice served on all occupants of the shanties to move with their belongings.”

He revealed that the upcoming shanty clearance operation beneath the Adeniji Adele bridge will be supported by operatives from the Kick Against Indiscipline and officials from the Monitoring Enforcement and Compliance department of the ministry.

This move, according to him is aimed at reclaiming ungoverned spaces across Lagos, underscores the state government’s unwavering commitment to urban management and public safety.

He said “Apart from the unsanitary conditions of residents in the shanties, it also serves as a hiding place for criminals and points for peddling hard drugs and substances which is injurious to the wellbeing of law-abiding residents.

Following a similar operation in Ikoyi last week, the Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources has cleared illegal structures, including an apartment rented for N250,000 annually, found under the Dolphin Estate Bridge.

Commissioner for Information, Gbenga Omotosho, announced on Sunday that out of 450 squatters arrested, 371 requested relocation to their home states.