The Lagos State Informal Space Management Authority (LASISMA) has begun a public sensitisation and enforcement campaign against the illegal occupation of road setbacks and designated public infrastructure corridors in Ojo.
Eko Hot News reports that the exercise commenced around the perimeter of the newly constructed Ojo General Hospital along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway, near the LASU-Iba Road Junction.
The initiative is being implemented by LASISMA under the Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Office of Physical Planning.
The campaign is aimed at reclaiming spaces reserved for public institutions, government infrastructure and other approved purposes.
During the exercise, officials engaged occupants of the affected areas and explained the need to vacate the designated spaces.
Contravention notices were also issued to individuals and structures identified as illegally occupying the setbacks.
Affected occupants were given seven days to comply with the directive and leave the encroached areas.
The General Manager of LASISMA, TPL Daisi Oso, said the exercise was necessary to restore order around government facilities.
He explained that the spaces surrounding the Ojo General Hospital had been affected by different forms of unauthorised activities.
Among the activities identified were indiscriminate waste disposal, an unauthorised fruit market, public toilets, a planks market and various shanties.
Oso said such activities were not suitable for the environment surrounding a major public healthcare facility.
According to him, the continued occupation of the setbacks could affect the orderly use of the area and create concerns for public health and security.
He also stressed the importance of maintaining clear access to the hospital.
The LASISMA boss noted that unobstructed access was particularly important for patients and emergency cases requiring immediate medical attention.
He said the Lagos State Government had directed the Ministry and LASISMA to reclaim the affected spaces and restore them to their designated purposes.
Oso urged traders and other occupants operating within the restricted areas to comply with the government’s directive.
He warned that road setbacks and corridors reserved for public institutions should not be converted to unauthorised commercial or residential uses.
The General Manager reaffirmed LASISMA’s determination to protect public spaces across Lagos.
He said the government would continue to promote compliance with physical planning regulations and discourage indiscriminate occupation of spaces meant for public infrastructure.
Oso explained that the initial phase of the Ojo exercise was focused on awareness and the service of contravention notices.
The seven-day compliance period is expected to give affected occupants an opportunity to vacate the spaces voluntarily.
He added that further enforcement measures would follow if occupants failed to comply after the deadline.
The entire perimeter of the Ojo General Hospital was identified as having areas affected by encroachment.
LASISMA officials are therefore serving notices to all identified occupants and operators within the affected locations.
The government also has plans for the eventual redevelopment and improved management of the spaces surrounding the hospital.
According to Oso, the proposed redevelopment will introduce complementary uses that can improve the hospital’s environment and functionality.
The initiative is expected to create a more organised setting around the newly constructed healthcare facility.
It will also help ensure that spaces intended to serve public purposes remain available for their designated functions.
The enforcement exercise was supported by town planners from the Technical Services Department of the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development.
Officials from LASISMA also participated in the operation.
Media organisations were present to document the exercise and provide wider awareness of the government’s efforts.
The government said the campaign forms part of broader efforts to promote orderly and sustainable development across Lagos.
LASISMA has a statutory responsibility to regulate, coordinate and manage informal urban and incidental open spaces across the state.
The authority also works to promote compliance with physical planning regulations.
Its responsibilities include protecting public infrastructure corridors from unauthorised occupation and inappropriate activities.
The Ojo operation is therefore part of the agency’s wider mandate to improve the management of public spaces.
The campaign comes as Lagos continues to experience rapid urban development and increasing pressure on available spaces.
Government authorities have continued to stress the importance of planned development to support public infrastructure and improve the quality of urban environments.
The area around Ojo General Hospital is considered particularly important because of the facility’s role in providing healthcare services to residents.
Keeping its surrounding spaces clear is expected to support easier movement and improve the general environment around the hospital.
LASISMA is encouraging affected traders and occupants to cooperate with the government by complying with the notices issued.
The authority is also expected to continue monitoring the area during and after the compliance period.
The Lagos State Government said its objective is to restore the affected setbacks to their approved purposes rather than allow continued unauthorised occupation.
With the seven-day notice period now underway, attention will turn to the response of occupants in the affected areas.
LASISMA said it remains committed to safeguarding public spaces and supporting orderly physical development across Lagos State.
The Ojo exercise is expected to serve as part of the state’s continuing campaign to protect government facilities, infrastructure corridors and other spaces designated for public use.
