We’ll Leave No Stone Unturned Until We Achieve Set Targets –Lagos Taskforce Chairman

By Cami Ezenwa

The Lagos State Taskforce on the environment has said it would leave no stone unturned until its target of ridding the state of traffic and environment nuisance is achieved

Chairman of the taskforce, CSP Adetayo Akerele made this reiteration at a stakeholders’ engagement meeting held at its headquarters in Oshodi, Lagos yesterday.

Akerele said it had become necessary to sensitise residents and stakeholders of 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.

This he added, is against the backdrop of the increasing spate of traffic violations and environmental challenges currently being experienced across the state.

CSP Akerele fielding questions with journalists

“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”, he said

“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”, the taskforce chairman stated.

According to him, Lagos, with a population of about 25 million people, faces the enormous challenges of rapid urbanisation, insecurity, poverty, environmental degradation, housing congestion, and unemployment, among others, and that addressing these challenges demanded collective effort.

As a result, he added, strategic planning, and adherence to transport and environmental standards were required to make the city serene, inclusive, environmentally friendly, economically vibrant, and safe for all.

The Lagos tasforce on the environment, he reminded, was established and empowered to enforce the provisions of the 2017 Environmental Law and the 2018 Transport Sector Reform Law, which covered the following:

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.

“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”

A perspective of the participants

The Chairman, CSP Akerele (centre), in a group photograph with some team members and stakeholders

Imploring everyone to buy into the vision of making the state environmentally friendly, Akerele added:

“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.

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“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.

Asserting that the task of ensuring a better Lagos, a city where almost everything works would become achievable when government and its people work hand-in-hand, he added:

“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”, he stated.

The Lagos Taskforce stakeholders’ engagement meeting was well attended with delegates from the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Lagos State butchers’ association, Road Transport Employers Association Of Nigeria (RTEAN), Ram Sellers Association, Market Women Association and Technicians association amongst others.