The Enforcement Unit of the Office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Central Business District today embarked on the clean-up exercise to remove illegal structures and makeshift shops erected on walkways, road medians and drainage alignments within the Lagos Island business district. The Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Central Business Districts (CBD), Mr. Olugbenga Olarenwaju Oyerinde, speaking during the exercise around the Idumota, Ereko, Martins, Tom Jones, Broad streets and environs, said the Lagos State Government is committed to the full restoration of the beauty and master plan of the Lagos Island Business District in line with the T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda of the present administration. The Special Adviser said the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu led administration’s strategic effort to transform the entire Lagos Island axis to a world-class business and tourism hub will not be allowed to be derailed by the activities of commercial bus drivers, street hawkers, traders, mechanics and miscreants.
“The Lagos State Government has observed the gross abuse of traffic, environmental and urban planning laws by the roadside sellers, commercial bus drivers who pick and drop passengers in unauthorised places, mechanics and street traders on the Island. These traffic and environmental abuse can no longer be tolerated. We are working with relevant agencies of government and trade unions especially NURTW and leadership of market associations to check these illegalities”, the Special Adviser said.
He said that directives were given by the Lagos State Government to street traders selling and displaying their wares along the roadsides, walkways and under bridges as well as mechanics, religious bodies and food sellers operating in unauthorised places and around public buildings in the entire Lagos Island Business District is still in force.
While warning street urchins and miscreants parading as “omo onile” who are in the habit of allocating parking spaces to motorists to desist, the Special Adviser maintained that no amount of resistance and intimidation could make the government rescind its decision to clean up the entire Lagos Island Business District in line with the vision of making Lagos a 21st century economy.
He said the demolition and removal of illegal structures and shops erected on roads and walkways within the business district which has impacted positively on the free flow of traffic will be sustained and monitored henceforth.
Oyerinde also said the demolition and removal of dilapidated buildings and structures within the Lagos Island as well as the removal of shops extensions built on walkways as directed by the Governor is already in progress, reiterating the need for all residents and business operators to assist in sustaining the gains of the exercise while the government continues with its advocacy and public enlightenment.
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