STREET TRADERS, ILLEGAL ROAD BLOCKAGE, AND OTHERS WILL NOT BE TOLERATED – JEJELOYE
• The Agency vows to prosecute any erring offenders
The Lagos State Taskforce has reaffirmed its stance on zero tolerance for vices that have detrimental and damaging consequences on the environment, as well as activities taken by refractory lawbreakers whose actions have repercussions for everyone in Lagos State.
This statement was made by the Chairman of the Agency, CSP Shola Jejeloye, in his office in Oshodi today, where he briefed his officers and men on the need for them to broaden their horizons and increase their output by carrying out the assigned responsibilities as stipulated in Chapter E6 Schedule Section 4(I) of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Law.
He cited some of the vices such as displaying wares by the roadside, selling on the kerb, illegally blocking streets to carry out social activities, flagrant pollution of the environment, indiscriminate parking of vehicles on roads, use of unapproved bus and Okada busstop, street trading, illegal collection of fees on the highways, and constituting nuisance by serial offenders have almost become the norm around the State, but insisted that sanity must be restored.
He instructed his officers and men to conduct all-around operations in places such as Iyana-Ipaja, Oshodi, Ikeja Along, Yaba, and others where Lagosians are subjected to excessive traffic jams and hardships caused by traders who sell their wares on roads intended for simple vehicle movement.
“Having to spend man hours in traffic caused by unauthorised display of items by sellers on our roadways, thereby creating an artificial bottleneck, has grown concerning.” We must put an end to this by guaranteeing that purchasing and selling operations are moved away from the roadways and into a marketing complex specifically created for this,” Jejeloye remarked.
One of the issues raised by the Chairman is street trading, which allows for traffic robbery in some parts of the state. He stressed the need for officials to ensure that the practise is reduced to the bare minimum, if not completely eliminated.
“There have been numerous cases where some street sellers conduct their business during the day and then emerge at night with deadly weapons such as knives and sharp items to rob cars stuck in traffic.” If we can address the root of the problem, the number of cases of traffic robbery recorded on a daily basis will drop dramatically.
We have received numerous complaints from motorists, and we will ensure that such horrific deeds are no longer committed,” Jejeloye said.
CSP Jejeloye promised Lagosians that the Agency will not rest on its laurels in ensuring that sanity is maintained throughout the state, as he and his officials work around the clock to ensure that offenders are brought to justice.
“In the following week, we’ll make a series of arrests, and they’ll all be brought before a mobile court for prosecution right away.” Others will be deterred from engaging in acts that are harmful to others as a result of this. We all own the roads, inner streets, and highways, and they are in our hands.
The roads, inner streets, and highways are all our property, and it is in our best interests to protect and preserve them for future use,” he concluded.
