Lagos Gives Alaba Rago Traders, Illegal Occupants 72 Hours to Vacate
The Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps, popularly known as the Lagos State Taskforce, has issued a 72-hour quit notice to street traders and illegal occupants along the Alaba Rago axis of the Mile 2–Badagry Expressway.
Global Mirror News gathered that the notice comes ahead of a planned enforcement operation aimed at clearing illegal structures and restoring environmental order along the busy corridor.
According to the Taskforce, the exercise will be carried out in collaboration with other relevant enforcement Agencies and will target traders operating on highways, walkways, road medians, setbacks and other restricted areas.
Chairman of the Lagos State Taskforce, Chief Superintendent of Police, CSP Adetayo Akerele, said the planned operation was part of the State government’s continued efforts to enforce environmental laws and maintain a clean, safe and organised Lagos.
Akerele explained that illegal trading, makeshift shops, unauthorised structures, indiscriminate dumping of refuse, used plastic depots and other environmental violations have continued to affect the Alaba Rago corridor.
He said the situation had attracted several complaints from motorists, pedestrians, residents, visitors and other stakeholders who use the route, including travellers coming into the Country through the Seme border.
The Taskforce Chairman stated that the enforcement exercise is being coordinated under the supervision of the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, led by Commissioner Tokunbo Wahab.
Speaking during a sensitisation and public enlightenment campaign in the area on Wednesday, Akerele urged affected traders and occupants to voluntarily remove their goods and vacate the locations within 72 hours.
He said the State Government had chosen to engage stakeholders and carry out sensitisation before beginning enforcement.
“Everyone knows that trading on highways, walkways and setbacks is illegal. However, because of the Lagos State Government’s people-oriented approach and inclusive governance policy, we have engaged all relevant parties before taking action,” he said.
Akerele added that Lagos State would no longer overlook the growing level of illegal activities and environmental hazards in the area.
“Lagos State cannot pretend or look the other way over the level of illegal activities and environmental hazards here. This situation does not reflect the status of a modern megacity. The time has come to enforce the laws and correct these abnormalities,” he said.
He warned that once the 72-hour deadline expires, officials will commence enforcement, confiscate goods belonging to violators and prosecute offenders in accordance with the law.
