Lagos tackles traffic inconvenience, street trading
Lagos State
Abdullateef Fowewe
The Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Taskforce has carried out an enforcement operation at Ikotun Bus Stop, opposite Irepodun Market along Idimu Road.
The exercise targeted street traders and commercial buses, popularly known as Danfo, whose activities had caused significant traffic disruptions for Bus Rapid Transit busses, motorists, and pedestrians.
According to a statement on Friday by the Director of Press and Public Affairs for the Lagos State Taskforce, Gbadeyan Abdulraheem, the operation was prompted by complaints received through the agency’s See Something, Say Something feedback mechanism.
It addressed persistent issues such as street trading, trading on walkways and kerbs, illegal parking, and commercial vehicles obstructing traffic in the area.
It reads, In a decisive move to restore free vehicular movement, sanity and ensure compliance with Lagos State traffic and Environmental law, the Lagos State Taskforce, has conducted a successful enforcement operation at Ikotun Bus Stop opposite Irepodun Market along Idimu Road where Street Traders,commercial buses popularly referred to as Danfo had caused untold traffic inconveniences to BRT Buses, motorists and pedestrians plying the roads.
“The operation which was led by the Chairman of the Agency, CSP Adetayo Akerele extended to Ikotun round about along Ijegun road addressed the long-standing complaints about Street Trading, trading on the kerb, walkways,illegal parking and commercial vehicles obstructing traffic around the axis.
“The exercise, was initiated in response to observations drawn through the Agency’s “See Something, Say Something” feedback mechanism, swiftly cleared the BRT corridor and Walkways that had turned the roads into bottlenecks. Residents and commuters along this axis expressed relief, noting that the streets, previously impassable, are now free for pedestrians, passengers and vehicles to move freely without any impediments.
“A resident, Mrs Zainab Ajokeade expressed, This is a new lease of life for us; the constant gridlock caused by Street Traders and illegally parked vehicles is finally gone. We can move in and out of our streets freely.”
“The Chairman disclosed that the operation which will also be extended to other nooks and crannies of the State will mark a significant shift towards maintaining order and ensuring motorists and passengers spend less travel time on the roads in this area.”
CSP Akerele reiterated residents of the commitment of the Lagos State Taskforce to sustaining correction, enjoining traders and motorists to remain compliant with Lagos State Market best practices and traffic laws respectively across the State.
“All the arrested Street Traders will be charged to court accordingly, Akerele stated,” it added.
