The Lagos Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC), also known as Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI), yesterday demolished shanties and removed illegal occupants from the Ajao Estate section of the Mass Burial Canal.

The agency said the action followed intelligence reports of environmental violations along the canal banks, where several makeshift structures had been erected.

After clearing the area, enforcement officers set the structures ablaze and warned that the site would be monitored to prevent reoccupation. The agency added that violators would be prosecuted.

Head of the Public Affairs and Advocacy Unit, Mr Ajayi Lukman, said the operation was prompted by petitions from community leaders.

“We carried out the exercise following petitions written by community leaders about makeshift structures built in the area. We have warned those found there several times but they continued their activities,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Corps Marshal, Major Olaniyi Olatunbosun Cole (rtd), called for sustained efforts to make Lagos conducive for business through effective environmental monitoring and enforcement.

He spoke at a one-day management retreat for senior staff and operatives themed “Leading the Change, Building Collaborations Towards Environmental Safety and Awareness”.

The retreat featured strategy sessions and group presentations focused on teamwork and service delivery.

Dr Adeyeye Mayowa, Head of the Environmental Services Unit, delivered a paper titled “Building Collaborations in Operational Delivery”, highlighting cooperation with sister agencies and intelligence gathering as key to operational success.

Cole urged officers to uphold professionalism, discipline and healthy work practices to enhance service delivery. (Guardian)