Lagos govt orders removal of trucks parked under Costain Bridge

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has served a 7-day ‘Removal Order’ notice to owners/drivers of trucks and tankers illegally parked under the Costain Bridge to the Iganmu area of the state.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Mr. Sola Giwa, who led officials of LASTMA to serve the notice in the area, made this known on Tuesday.

Giwa stated that those equally affected by the 7-day ‘Removal Order’ notice include owners/occupiers of illegal structures, shanties, kiosks, and containerised shops under the Costain Bridge down to Iganmu axis.

He noted that the 7-day notice came after several days of inspections for a general cleanup exercise of the area by officials of the Lagos State Government.

“It was an eyesore seeing the level of degradation of our roads by the activities of these illegal squatters with miscreants and hoodlums freely smoking and selling Indian hemp under the bridge,” Giwa said.

Also speaking, the LASTMA General Manager, Mr. Bolaji Oreagba, said upon the expiration of the ‘Removal Order’ notice on Sunday, September 18, 2022, the LASTMA officials would embark on a thorough cleanup exercise around the area as well as a clampdown on all criminal elements disturbing law-abiding citizens/motorists around the area.

Oreagba said the illegal business operators, including iron benders, mechanics, and food/fruit vendors, among others, have turned the area into an unhealthy environment, adding that they have littered the entire vicinity with indiscriminate dumping of refuse and waste materials.

“It is interesting to note that none of these drivers parking their heavy-duty vehicles illegally, including owners of illegal structures, mechanics, and other operators under the Costain Bridge had any permit from the state government,” he said.

The Star

Segun Ojo