The House of Representatives has ordered an investigation into alleged illegal structures and business operations beneath Eko Bridge and different Federal bridges in Lagos State, citing issues over attainable harm to essential infrastructure and threats to public security.
The lawmakers mandated the House Committees on Works and Public Assets to look at the developments and set up whether or not their occupants obtained the mandatory permits and approvals from the related authorities.
The directive adopted the adoption of a movement of pressing public significance sponsored by Lanre Okunlola, representing Surulere II Federal Constituency, Lagos State.
During deliberations, members raised issues that unauthorised actions round Eko Bridge, significantly near its foundations, had reportedly broken very important structural elements, prompting emergency engineering interventions.
They warned that permitting the encroachment to proceed may compromise the bridges’ structural integrity, hinder common inspections and upkeep, and endanger commuters and communities across the affected areas.
“The continued occupation of areas beneath and adjacent to Federal bridges may impede routine engineering inspections, emergency repairs and future expansion works while posing significant risks to commuters and adjoining communities,” the movement acknowledged.
Eko Bridge is a serious transport route linking Lagos Island with the Mainland and is under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Works.
The investigation will look at containers, warehouses, makeshift buildings, markets, workshops and different business institutions working throughout the bridges’ right-of-way.
The Committee on Works is anticipated to evaluate whether or not the structures and enterprise actions adjust to the Federal Highways Act, related bodily planning laws and the Federal Ministry of Works’ tips.
Meanwhile, the Committee on Public Assets will examine whether or not public property has been unlawfully occupied, leased or utilised in breach of present legal guidelines.
It can even establish people, authorities companies or organisations discovered accountable for any violations.
As half of the train, the House directed the Federal Ministry of Works, the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency, FERMA, the Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority, the place relevant, and Lagos State bodily planning authorities to supply related paperwork.
The requested information embody accepted engineering designs, survey plans, right-of-way maps, occupancy permits and different authorisations overlaying developments beneath and across the affected bridges.
The lawmakers additionally referred to as on the related authorities to implement present laws by eradicating any structures established illegally inside Federal rights-of-way.
They additional urged authorities companies to develop sustainable measures for shielding, monitoring and sustaining Federal bridges throughout the nation.
The two committees are anticipated to submit their reviews to the House inside six weeks to allow additional legislative motion.
Lawmakers blamed the rising presence of unauthorised developments, in half, on attainable lapses in coordination among the many Federal Ministry of Works, FERMA, the Lagos State Government and different related companies.
