By our Reporter
The Lagos State Government, on Tuesday, declared zero tolerance on all forms of street trading in the State, especially in Ikoyi, Lekki and Victoria Island.
Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources,who made this declaration, added that henceforth no form of hawking, street trading and displaying of wares on walkways and setbacks will be allowed in the above areas.
Wahab informed that the state environmental sanitation laws will be fully applied with mobile courts ready to dispense justice to all those who run foul of the law.
He stressed that the action was in line with the T.H.E.M.E.S. Plus Agenda of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to promote a cleaner and greener Lagos while ensuring total enforcement of the environmental sanitation laws and creating a safer state for all.
The Commissioner, while sounding a note of warning to defaulters, decried the prevalence of traders at bus stops, roundabouts and on pedestrian bridges in the listed areas.
He mentioned that the actions of the traders and their patrons not only obstruct the free flow of traffic, and aid crime but also contribute to indiscriminate littering which eventually ends up blocking the drainage systems.
He noted that Lagos, a megacity that is developing into a smart city, had no place for street traders who not only constituted an eyesore to the aesthetics of the city and exposed themselves to hazardous situations but also constituted a threat to the security of lives and property.
“The latest enforcement drive against street traders in Ikoyi, Lekki and Victoria Island will be sustained to restore the areas to their original master plan.