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The Lagos State Government has issued a 72-hour ultimatum to street traders and other illegal occupants along the Alaba Rago axis of the Lagos–Badagry Expressway while also announcing the impoundment of 278 commercial motorcycles during a weeklong statewide operation.
The twin enforcement exercises, spearheaded by the Lagos State Taskforce in collaboration with other enforcement agencies, form part of the government’s renewed drive to restore environmental sanity, improve public safety and strengthen security across the state in line with the provisions of the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law, 2017, and the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law, 2018.
As part of the environmental enforcement campaign, traders and other illegal occupants operating along the Alaba Rago corridor have been directed to vacate highways, walkways, road medians, road setbacks and other prohibited locations within 72 hours ahead of a major clearance operation.
The government said the exercise would also remove makeshift shops, illegal structures, mini brothels, used plastic depots, indiscriminate refuse dumps and other environmental nuisances that have proliferated along the corridor.
According to the state, the Alaba Rago section of the Lagos–Badagry Expressway, popularly known as the ECOWAS Road, has become a major source of concern due to environmental degradation, traffic obstruction, safety risks and security challenges, particularly as it serves as a major gateway for travellers entering Nigeria through the Seme Border.
The enforcement operation is being coordinated by the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources under the supervision of the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab.
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Speaking during a sensitisation exercise with traders and occupants of the affected areas, Chairman of the Lagos State Taskforce, CSP Adetayo Akerele, urged those concerned to voluntarily relocate before the expiration of the ultimatum.
“Lagos State cannot continue to ignore the level of illegal activities and environmental hazards in this area. This situation does not reflect the status of a modern megacity. The time has come to enforce the law and correct these abnormalities,” Akerele said.
Meanwhile, the Taskforce has also intensified its crackdown on commercial motorcycle operators flouting the state’s ban on Okada operations on highways and other restricted routes.
The weeklong enforcement exercise covered several strategic locations across the state, including Ikorodu, Agric Bus Stop, Festac First Gate, Mazamaza, Iyana School, Iyana-Iba, Idimu Road, Egbeda, Kola Bus Stop, Iyana Ipaja, Ikotun Roundabout, Ijaiye in Ojokoro, Berger Bus Stop, Ojodu, Akowonjo Roundabout, Igando Bus Stop, LASU-Iba Road and Pipeline Road in Idimu, among others.
During the operation, Taskforce officials arrested several commercial motorcycle operators found illegally plying restricted routes. At the end of the operation, a total of 278 commercial motorcycles were impounded.
