The Lagos State Government has vowed to remove all shanties and impediments erected on streets and roads within the Lagos Island Business District.
Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Central Business Districts, Mr. Olarenwaju Olugbenga Oyerinde disclosed this at the scene of fire incidents that gutted seven buildings at Sunny Adewale/Martins Street on the Lagos Island recently.
Speaking on the need to open up the roads and streets blocked by traders, Oyerinde said the State Government is determined to bring safety and sanity to all nooks and crannies of the Lagos Island Business District by checking the illegal activities of shops and plaza owners who violate the physical planning laws of the State.
He said no amount of resistance and intimidation by miscreants parading as developers and shop owners can make the State Government go back on its resolve to clean up the entire Lagos Island Business District.
Oyerinde decried the nuisance constituted by shop owners and street traders who display their wares and goods on walkways and roads, thereby obstructing the smooth flow of human and vehicular traffic.
“Lagos State Government has observed with dismay the gross abuse of environmental laws and urban planning by the street traders, shops and plaza owners who have converted access roads and streets to markets. The environmental and physical law abuse thriving in this business district can no longer be tolerated; this necessitated the decision to clear and open up all blocked roads within the business district”, the Special Adviser said.
He frowned at situations whereby ambulances, firefighters and policemen were prevented from getting to emergency scenes on time due to blocked streets by traders.
Reiterating the determination of the present administration to restore the original master plan of Island Business Districts and its adjoining axis, the Special Adviser assured that the activities of street traders and developers who have converted walkways, streets and roads into shops will be checked.
Speaking about the fire incidents that occurred within the Business District, Oyerinde implored traders to be safety conscious at all times and promised to continually educate stakeholders from corporate organisations, markets leaders, Community Development Associations, residents and road transport unions on causes of fire outbreaks in homes, offices and market places and proffer methods for prevention and management in the event of unforeseen occurrences.
While urging residents to make effective use of the toll-free 112 and 767 numbers in emergency situations, the Special Adviser advocated the compulsory installation of smoke detectors and fire extinguishers in homes, offices and business premises as part of measures to curb incessant fire outbreaks in the State.
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