Connect with us

Opinion

SPEECH DELIVERED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF LAGOS STATE TASKFORCE CSP ADETAYO AKERELE

Published

3 months ago

on

LAGOS STATE TASKFORCE
SPEECH DELIVERED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF LAGOS STATE TASKFORCE CSP ADETAYO AKERELE AT THE STAKEHOLDERS ENGAGEMENT MEETING HELD AT THE SAFETY ARENA , BOLADE , OSHODI , LAGOS ON TUESDAY, 25TH NOVEMBER, 2025.
PROTOCOLS
It is with great pleasure that I join you at this meeting aimed at enlightening and engaging our teeming stakeholders on the activities of the Lagos State Taskforce, particularly on issues relating to traffic violations, the menace of Okada, and environmental degradation, as they align with the Agency’s strategies, policies, plans, and programmes.
The choice of today’s theme, “PROMOTING SAFETY AND SERENITY THROUGH TRAFFIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL BEST PRACTICES,” is both timely and appropriate. This is due to the increasing spate of traffic violations and environmental challenges currently being experienced across the State. It is therefore essential that residents and stakeholders fully understand the Lagos State Traffic and Environmental Reform Laws as enshrined in the 2017 Environmental Reform Law and the 2018 Transport Sector Reform Law, to ensure better compliance.
The Lagos State Traffic and Environmental Reform Laws, promulgated in 2017 and 2018 respectively, aim to achieve zero tolerance for the menace of Okada on highways, driving against traffic, obstruction, environmental nuisances, illegal developments, and non-conforming structures such as shanties, among others. These laws were designed to ensure a more efficient transport system and a habitable, serene environment that supports sustainable development. Achieving sustainable development requires the full participation of every Lagosian, whose cooperation is crucial for the successful implementation of existing laws and regulations.
Lagos, as a mega city with a population of about 25 million people, faces the enormous challenges of rapid urbanization, insecurity, poverty, environmental degradation, housing congestion, and unemployment, among others. Addressing these challenges demands collective effort, strategic planning, and adherence to transport and environmental standards to make the city serene, inclusive, environmentally friendly, economically vibrant, and safe for all.
At this juncture, permit me to highlight the functions of the Lagos State Taskforce, an agency of government established by law to enforce both Traffic and Environmental Laws, as well as any other directives given by the Governor.
The Agency was established in 1991 under Chapter E6, Section 4(1) of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Law. It is empowered to enforce the provisions of the 2017 Environmental Law and the 2018 Transport Sector Reform Law. Its functions include:
1.Addressing poor sanitary conditions, indiscriminate slum settlements, and shanties in the State.
2.Arresting street traders.
3.Arresting and prosecuting violators of road traffic laws.
4.Arresting and prosecuting roadside mechanics operating illegally.
5.Arresting and prosecuting touts and individuals who illegally issue tickets to motorists on public roads.
6.Arresting and prosecuting quacks in the medical profession, among others.
The creation of a dedicated agency to manage these responsibilities is a bold and strategic move by the State Government to reduce the human and material losses associated with criminality and lawlessness.

READ ALSO: Breaking: 50 Of The Abducted Niger State Students Escape

READ ALSO: Formal Education Certificates Versus Skill Acquisition Learning, Which?

As a State, we have lost so much to traffic violations, the menace of Okada on highways, drug abuse, miscreants, one-way driving, and other criminal activities. However, as a committed and responsive administration led by our revered and amiable Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, we are leaving no stone unturned in our efforts to put an end to these problems. This is why we must all partner with the government, because no one knows where the next incident may occur or who the next victim may be.
To this end, I implore everyone here to support the government in making our communities safer. The expectations are simple: SPEAK OUT. REPORT WRONGDOING. REPORT ILLEGALITIES. REPORT YOUR NEIGHBOURS, FRIENDS, OR EVEN FAMILY MEMBERS WHEN NECESSARY.
We urge all stakeholders and community leaders to report cases of illegal developments, blackspots, drug addicts, street urchins, cultists, quacks, illegal ticket issuers, and miscreants within your areas, either by visiting the Agency Headquarters or by calling these numbers: 09137555111 or 09138555111.
As an enforcement Agency, we are more committed than ever to sustaining the tempo of Best Practices as captured in the T.H.E.M.E.S Plus Agenda of the State Government.
We all desire a better Lagos, a city where almost everything works. This is achievable when government and its people work hand-in-hand. This is why we continue to embark on enlightenment, education, and public engagement, especially with stakeholders in the environmental and transport sectors. Our workload will be significantly reduced if Lagosians imbibe the culture of obeying State laws. This is where you come in as our partners. We encourage you to obey the laws and do the right things for a greater Lagos.
We are aware that the tasks ahead are enormous, but we assure you that it will no longer be business as usual. We will go the extra mile to ensure compliance with all laws, regulations, and codes governing both traffic and environmental activities in Lagos State.
Thank you for listening, and God bless you.
IGBEGA IPINLE EKO. AJUMOSE GBOGBO WA NI Ooo
CSP ADETAYO AKERELE
CHAIRMAN,  LAGOS STATE TASKFORCE
25TH NOVEMBER, 2025
Pls note that the Hotlines are  09137555111, 09138555111. Sorry  the error is regretted. Thanks
Related Topics:
Advertisement
2 Comments

2 Comments

  1. Dickson Chinma Ihejirika ( Mrs)

    December 3, 2025 at 12:12 pm

    Chairman of Lagos State Taskforce, CSP Adetayo Akerele on Tuesday, 25th November, 2025,held an enlightening meeting with stakeholders on issues relating to traffic violations, and the menace of Okada riders in Lagos.

    The event which took place at Safety Arena, Bolade,Oshodi was titled “Promoting Safety and Serenity Through Traffic and Environmental Best practices.”

    Speaking at the forum, Mr.Akerele stressed that the rising wave of traffic violations, and environmental degradation was hampering the city’s progress, and compromising safety.

    He further said that “achieving sustainable development requires the full participation of every Lagosian. ”

    In his address, CSP Akerele took time to remind the audience of the agency’s responsibilities.

    He however, urged the people to corporate with them to build the Lagos that their children can inherit.

    Name: Dickson Chinma Ihejirika ( Mrs)
    PGD/FT 2025/26

    Reply

  2. Mohammed Aminu Yahaya

    December 3, 2025 at 12:08 pm

    The Chairman of the Lagos State Taskforce, CSP Adetayo Akerele, is calling for stronger cooperation from residents to address rising traffic violations, the Okada menace, and environmental offenses across Lagos. He made the appeal at a stakeholders’ engagement meeting held today at the Safety Arena in Oshodi.

    Akerele said the theme of the meeting—“Promoting Safety and Serenity Through Traffic and Environmental Best Practices”—was timely, noting increasing cases of driving against traffic, illegal structures, and environmental degradation.

    He urged Lagosians to understand and comply with the State’s Environmental Reform Law of 2017 and the Transport Sector Reform Law of 2018.

    He highlighted that Lagos, with nearly 25 million people, faces major challenges linked to rapid urbanization, and stressed that collective adherence to traffic and environmental standards is essential.

    The Taskforce chairman also outlined the functions of the agency, which include enforcing traffic laws, tackling illegal trading, removing shanties, and prosecuting touts and unauthorized ticket issuers.

    Akerele said the government created the agency to reduce losses from criminality and disorder, urging stakeholders to support ongoing efforts to make Lagos safer and more serene.

    Mohammed Aminu Yahaya
    PGD FT (2025/26)

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *