Lagos Serves Removal Notice On Makeshift Shops, Iron Kiosks As Environmental Cleanup Heats Up

Eko Hot Blog reports that operatives of the Office of the Special Adviser on Central Business Districts (CBD), on Wednesday, served removal notices on owners of illegal makeshift shops and iron kiosks erected within the Lagos Island Business Districts.

The notice of removal was a follow-up to the advocacy campaign held recently within the District by the agency where owners of illegal shops and iron kiosks were asked to remove them, especially along CMS and Leventis area of Lagos Island.

Also, the agency has dislodged commercial buses parked indiscriminately along the CMS, Marina and Broad Street area which were obstructing the flow of traffic in the axis with a warning to stop the conversion of roads within the business districts to illegal garages.

Speaking on the removal notice served on owners of the illegal structures, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Central Business Districts, Mrs. Bola Olumegbon-Lawal warned other owners of such makeshift shops and kiosks erected illegally all over the business district to remove them or face sanction as the State Government is committed to the full restoration of the beauty and master plan of the Lagos Island Business District in line with the THEMES PLUS agenda of the present administration.

Mrs. Olumegbon-Lawal said, “We are using this medium to call on owners of illegal makeshift shops and iron kiosks placed indiscriminately all over the Island business district to remove them immediately or we do so at the expense of the owners with heavy penalties.”

“The Governor Sanwo-Olu Administration is very passionate about sustaining the environment and ensuring the free flow of traffic all over the State. The gross abuse and flagrant disrespect to traffic, environmental and urban planning laws by the roadside sellers, commercial bus drivers who pick up and drop passengers in unauthorised places and street traders on the Island can no longer be tolerated. We are working with relevant agencies of government and trade unions, especially NURTW and leadership of market associations to check these illegalities.”

While noting that the illegal makeshift shops and kiosks have become an eyesore to the beauty of the business district, the special adviser condemned the act of converting any available space to shops and kiosks by traders, just as she warned that nobody will be allowed to deface the aesthetic beauty of Lagos Island as envisaged by the present administration.

Mrs. Olumegbon Lawal also warned commercial drivers to stop the conversion of roads to garages to pick up and drop off passengers within the business district. She disclosed that the state government spent millions of naira to construct bus garages at Ajegboro near Leventis for the use of commercial drivers which has not been fully utilised by drivers but they chose to stay on the roads to pick up passengers.

She said the present administration’s strategic efforts to transform the entire Lagos Island axis into a world-class business and tourism hub will not be allowed to be derailed by the activities of commercial bus drivers, street hawkers, traders, mechanics and miscreants.

The governor’s aide averred that the dislodgement of commercial buses from unauthorised places and removal of illegal structures and shops erected on roads and walkways within the business district which is expected to impact positively on the free flow of traffic will be sustained and monitored henceforth.

Olumegbon-Lawal reiterated the need for all residents and business operators to assist in sustaining the gains of the exercise while the agency continues with its advocacy and public enlightenment exercise.