Lagos Task Force Warns Transport Unions, Traders Against Encroachment On Public Spaces
The Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Enforcement Unit (Task Force) has warned transport union officials, traders and other stakeholders against allocating or occupying pedestrian walkways, road setbacks and other public spaces for commercial activities.
The Chairman of the Task Force, CSP Adetayo Akerele, gave the warning during a stakeholder engagement held at the Lagos State Safety Arena, Oshodi, as part of efforts to strengthen public safety, environmental compliance and urban orderliness across the state.
The engagement, themed “Promoting Public Safety and Environmental Best Practices in Lagos State,” brought together stakeholders from the transportation, market, trade, automobile and enforcement sectors.
Participants included representatives of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), Office of the Iyaloja General, National Automobile Technicians Association (NATA), automobile associations, butchers’ associations, Mile 12 International Market, Ram Sellers Association and scrap dealers.
The meeting formed part of a wider stakeholder engagement programme previously held across the Ikorodu, Epe, Badagry and Lagos Central divisions, with the Ikeja Division meeting serving as the grand finale.
Speaking at the event, Akerele said effective collaboration between government agencies, transport unions, market leaders, trade associations and residents was essential to maintaining a clean, safe and orderly Lagos.
He expressed concern over reports that some transport union officials allegedly allocate pedestrian walkways and other public spaces to petty traders, noting that such practices obstruct pedestrian movement and undermine the government’s efforts to maintain urban order.
The Task Force chairman said the agency would continue to engage relevant stakeholders while enforcing existing regulations to keep walkways, road setbacks and other public spaces free from encroachment.
Akerele also disclosed that the Task Force was collaborating with other government agencies to tackle environmental challenges, particularly waste management and open defecation in parts of the state.
He stressed that enforcement alone could not guarantee lasting environmental improvement, adding that residents, businesses, market operators and associations must play active roles in maintaining sanitation and public safety.
Representatives of NATA appealed to the state government to provide mobile toilet facilities in mechanic villages across Lagos to improve sanitation and support efforts to curb open defecation.
The chairman of Mile 12 International Market, meanwhile, assured the Task Force that traders within the market would continue to support sanitation and waste management initiatives.
On the scrap industry, Akerele directed the Lagos State Chairman of Scrap Dealers and Employers Operators, Comrade Adewale Adedotun, to ensure that members of the association were properly registered and carried verifiable means of identification.
He said proper identification of scrap dealers would improve accountability, strengthen security and assist law enforcement agencies in distinguishing legitimate operators from criminal elements.
The Task Force chairman also reiterated the agency’s commitment to enforcing environmental, traffic and public safety regulations, removing illegal structures and obstructions, and protecting public infrastructure and spaces.
Stakeholders at the meeting commended the Task Force for the engagement and pledged continued cooperation with the agency in promoting environmental responsibility and compliance with state regulations.
The event was attended by, among others, Corps Marshal Olaniyi Cole (rtd.) of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Enforcement Corps (KAI), Barrister Adekunle, Coordinator of the Lagos State Mobile Court, and representatives of various stakeholder groups.
Akerele assured residents that the Task Force would sustain its engagement with stakeholders while carrying out its enforcement responsibilities professionally in pursuit of a cleaner, safer and more orderly Lagos.