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Accident – Death – Obituary News : : 1. Lagos cost of living
2. Homelessness in Lagos
A 75-year-old Ghanaian, Usman Hassan, was one of the displaced squatters living under the Dolphin Estate Bridge in Lagos. Previously a teacher in Ogun State, Hassan moved to Lagos due to the high cost of living. He explained that the owner of the place allowed people to stay there for a fee, or sometimes for free. Others, like a 12-year-old girl from Kogi State, were brought by family members to raise money for a new house. The Lagos government recently discovered 86 partitioned rooms under the bridge, where tenants were paying N250,000 per year. Authorities have since removed all structures from the area.
1. Lagos cost of living homelessness
2. Lagos affordable housing crisis
The Sad Reality of Squatters Under the Dolphin Estate Bridge in Ikoyi, Lagos
Living under a bridge is a reality for many individuals in Lagos, Nigeria, where the cost of living is high, and affordable housing is scarce. One such individual is 75-year-old Ghanaian, Usman Hassan, who found himself seeking refuge under the Dolphin Estate Bridge in Ikoyi, Lagos.
Hassan, a former teacher at Remo Divisional High School in Ogun State, made the difficult decision to live under the bridge due to the inability to afford the exorbitant cost of living in Lagos. He shared his heartbreaking story of losing some of his belongings during the ‘attack’ by Lagos officials while he was away.
A Helping Hand Beneath the Bridge
Despite the challenging circumstances, Hassan expressed gratitude towards the owner of the place under the bridge, who allowed people to stay there for a fee. He mentioned that the engineers working in a nearby company had requested the owner to accommodate their workers, and he was fortunate to receive a space without any fees.
According to Hassan, many individuals sought solace in the under-bridge apartments as they struggled to afford rent in Lagos. He highlighted the harsh realities faced by people in the country, where finding work to survive is a constant struggle.
A Glimpse into the Lives of Squatters
Usena, a 12-year-old girl from Kogi State, shared her desire for a new house where she could live peacefully with her family. She revealed that her elder sister brought her to the bridge to raise money for a new home, emphasizing the challenges faced by families in securing adequate housing.
Another occupant, a farmer, disclosed that he paid a significant sum to stay in the apartment under the bridge, reflecting the desperation of individuals to find shelter in a harsh urban environment.
Government Intervention and Removal of Structures
In a recent development, the Lagos State government uncovered 86 partitioned rooms under the Dolphin Estate Bridge, where tenants were paying N250,000 per annum for makeshift accommodations. The enforcement team of the state’s Ministry of Environment and Water Resources successfully removed all structures, including a container used for illegal activities, from beneath the bridge.
The discovery of these makeshift apartments sheds light on the dire living conditions faced by many individuals in Lagos and underscores the need for affordable housing solutions in the city.
As the government takes steps to address the issue of squatters under the bridge, the plight of individuals like Usman Hassan and Usena serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by those living on the margins of society.
