By OLASUNKANMI AKONI

THE insanity in the ever bustling Oshodi Market in Lagos, popular for cheap goods, a haven for pick pockets, all shades of criminals and perpetual traffic gridlock, was on January 2, 2009, brought to a halt when a Special Taskforce of the Lagos State Ministry of Environment stormed the area and demolished all illegal structures and squatters.

The spontaneous task was applauded by all Nigerians and even the international community, who acknowledged the courage and the will of a civilian administration led by Governor Babatunde Fashola to achieve the onerous feat.

As early as 3 am that day, the combined taskforce team, led by then Superintendent of Police and now Chief Superintendent of Police, Bayo Sulaimon, stormed Oshodi and reduced the area including Abibat Mogaji Mini Market to a rubble by 6pm.

*Old Oshodi

The taskforce, as well as the Physical Planning and Urban Development agency, which carried out the operation enlisted the help of Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) officials and the Police.

Governor  Fashola  afterwards explained that government was forced to pull down the illegal structures as part of measures to tackle traffic congestion in the state particularly at Oshodi.

According to Fashola, most residents and road users in Lagos avoided the area and preferred to travel long distances to their destinations instead of  passing Agege Motor Road which is shorter.

He lamented that though the demolition was painful, the interest of a few  could not override the general interest of the people of the state.

Speaking after the demolition, Sulaimon said the exercise was in continuation of ongoing sanitization of Lagos in line with the mandate given the task force by the governor.

He  said:  “This is an ongoing exercise and we intend to drive it until all illegal acts being perpetrated on the roads with attendant traffic consequences are dislodged. We have achieved a lot in restoring sanity to the area as evident in what is obtainable now at Oshodi. You can also attest to this fact.

“The state government is committed to ensuring that all the illegal structures and trading posts within the Oshodi market which is breeding all manner of nefarious activities are stopped so that the people can live well and be comfortable.

“Right now, a lot is going on in Oshodi in terms of beautification as there are flood lights all over the area, such that the area is well_lit at night.. We are determined to keep miscreants completely out of Oshodi.

“We have consistently raided the area. No fewer than 1,000 miscreants have been flushed out of the area and the exercise is on-going.”

Then, traders who could not hold back tears sobbed as they claimed they were not given any notice to evacuate and lamented that it was a bad way to start a New Year.

*New Oshodi

The Iyaloja of Abibat Mogaji Mini Market then, Omolabake Banjo, criticised the exercise, saying the traders obtained council permission to set up shops.

KAI Marshall General, Danjuma Meigeri, also said  that KAI would continue to ensure total sanity in the area, “no matter whose ox is gored in an operation that is aimed to keep Lagos clean.”

Residents’ assessments

However, five years after, it appears the challenges are returning if the assessments of residents are anything to go by.

Mr. Moses Andero said: “To me, the old Oshodi, where people traded on the road, is gradually returning.

“The Agege motor road and  other inner roads that were deserted  after the clean- up of Oshodi now have traders selling by the road side.

“This causes traffic gridlock on this axis. The link road from Agege motor road to Apapa-Oshodi express road  slow down movement because  drivers slow down for pedestrian ssince the walkways built for them are now occupied by traders.

“I will want the state government to call the officers of the KAI to order because they are responsible for this development. They have compromised the effort of the state government.

*Pastor Segun Oluwatosin in his remarks said; “The beautification has brought sanity, cleanliness and orderliness to Oshodi. The well-lit highways and environs have pushed the bad boys away from the vicinity, though with exception of some recalcitrant ones who have refused to budge.

“Gone are the days you find Oshodi as dirty as a dump site. But now the place is clean and one can receive fresh air that will not  be injurious to one’s health.

*Nurudeen Owodunni: “To me it’s a very good development and I am in full support of it, although the development affected some of my family members who had shops and businesses around the axes but what we need to understand is that no development comes easy. “Some people will definitely be affected, now you can proudly say oshodi is safe and free compared to some years back.

“But I will like to tell the state government that some hoodlums are still hanging around there waiting for people’s cars to break down so that they can descend on them.

“Formerly there were people who used to arrest those that cross the expressway at Oshodi, but now I guess they are no longer there, the way  people  cross the road without using the two beautiful and modern pedestrian bridges is annoying, they should return the enforcement agents so that the rate of car  accidents around Oshodi will be reduced.

*To Mr. Kofoworola Olowoopejo: “The initiative is very good. It has reduced  criminal acts around Oshodi. Presently, only those who have business around Oshodi, go to the motor parks. Criminals can no longer pretend to be commuters. “The issue of people endangering their lives  while hawking around Oshodi has been eliminated.”