Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, says the state government might reintroduce the monthly environmental sanitation to ensure a cleaner environment.
Sanwo-Olu made this known while addressing newsmen after the inspection tour of the clean-up exercise along the Lagos-Badagry expressway on Friday, September 22, 2023.
The governor stated that there was a need to reintroduce the monthly environmental sanitation, saying there has been a lot of infringement in the environment.
He said: “I will be consulting with the Minister of Environment to see if it is possible for us to reintroduce the monthly environmental service so that we can bring back the sanity of a liveable city.
“We have seen that there has been a lot of lopsidedness, there has been a lot of recklessness, and we need to bring that back.
“So we are going to work out a model where we will have zero tolerance on environmental issues, on all transportation issues, people not comporting themselves.”
Governor Sanwo-Olu reiterated his administration’s commitment to zero tolerance for environmental infringement, which he said causes nuisance in society.
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He commended the special taskforce for clearing the axis of miscreants and illegal traders, warning that illegal occupants, traders, and squatters that had been cleared off the Lagos-Badagry expressway would lose their properties and means of livelihood, should they make any attempt to return to the corridor.
The governor, who engaged with residents and traders along the route, said the Doyin section of the highway would be reconstructed after the rainy season.
Sanwo-Olu added: ”People saw the need for the environmental cleanup and they appreciated our efforts to preserve the corridor. We have been able to move all commercial vehicles that hitherto clogged the loops all the way to Mile 2 from Orile.
“We are going to wall off the road in order to keep the entire stretch tidy for reconstruction and beautification.
“It will be zero tolerance for encroachment on our right-of-way by anybody. We will not allow ejected traders return; those who want to return should be prepared for forfeiture of their goods.
“All the cabinet members that have responsibility in this regard have been instructed to continue this clean-up exercise. We will stop this bad habit and reckless behaviour, while ensuring that we bring back environmental sanity.”
Sanwo-Olu also moved to Oke Arin Market at Apogbon axis of Eko Bridge to monitor compliance with the government’s regulations regarding the use of the space under the bridge.
The governor said: “We are here to ensure that the space under the bridge is strictly used for commercial parking and petty trade. Anything that has to do with mechanical work, welding or electrical work must not be seen under any of our bridges.
“We are hoping that those using the allocated space will keep to the guidelines and maintain sanity.”
He said the exercise would be extended to other parts of the state, including Agege, Lagos Island, Ikeja, and other areas where illegal traders had encroached on the right-of-way of public transport.
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