Lagos State government at the weekend intensified its ongoing clampdown on illegal activities in different parts of the metropolis, arresting traffic offenders, street traders and miscreants in Oyingbo, Idumota and Apapa.
Several persons have so far been arrested in different areas of the state in the last one week in connection with traffic offence and environmental nuisance.
The state commissioner for transportation, Fredric Oladeinde, said the exercise was to restore sanity on Lagos roads, adding that the enforcement would be sustained until success is achieved.
According to Oladeinde, it has become obligatory for road users to remain disciplined while plying the roads in order to create ease of business across the state.
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Oladeinde noted that in addition to the clamp down on offender, the ministry of transportation has also developed an inclusive plan to find lasting a solution to the perennial challenge of traffic congestion.
“We have had several engagements with chairmen of local government areas, members of transport unions, association of market women and men as well as other relevant stakeholders on the need to support the government in this crusade of ridding our roads of illegal activities”, he said.
The commissioner said that the exercise would extend to other areas including Ketu, Ikorodu, Maryland, Lekki/ Ajah, Iyana Ipaja and Ikotun corridors, warning traffic offenders not to fall victims of the enforcement exercise, as anyone found contravening the law would be prosecuted.
The commissioner described the heavy gridlock being experienced in the state as man- made, stating that the enforcement team would ultimately ensure sanity.
“When you have commercial vehicles parking to pick or offload passengers at wrong locations while traders display their goods on the walkways, how do you achieve orderliness on the road”, he wondered.
The special adviser on transportation, Oluwatoyin Fayinka, who was also part of the team that conducted the enforcement, reiterated that roadsides and walkways were not designed for trading and as such people must desist from engaging in any form of business activities on the roads.
Fayinka stated that there was no tenable reason for selling on walkways and highways as markets have been provided, adding that government will be ready to assist traders through its micro finance bank to secure loans for their businesses to thrive.
