Traffic gridlock: LASG moves against illegal traders on lay-bys, walk-ways, arrest 7
Joy Anyim
Seven traders were over the weekend arrested during a joint operation by the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation and Special Offences (Taskforce) Unit and the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC) to curb trading activities on lay-bys and walkways.
The Chairman of the Lagos State Task Force, CSP Olayinka Egbeyemi, who disclosed this in a press statement issued on Sunday, said the activities of these illegal traders, hawkers and other environmental nuisances had become an eye-sore, which impeded free flow of traffic around Kodesho Street, Medical Road and Ikeja under bridge towards Railway line.
Stating the relevant laws that back the operation, CSP Egbeyemi said the exercise was in line with Section (1) of the Lagos State Street Trading and Illegal Market Prohibition Law 2003 which prescribes a punishment of N90, 000 or a six month jail term, for both the buyer and the seller of any goods or services on all roads across the state.
He said, “Despite continous advocacy, enlightenment and appeals from the government some illegal traders and hawkers are still of the habit of violating the extant environmental laws of the state by causing disorder and serious environmental infraction on the roads through their activities.
” All illegal traders and hawkers must vacate the roads in order to drastically reduce inconveniences to motorists, enhance the sustainability of the environment and protect public infrastructures which were often vandalized by hawkers and Street traders.
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“ The government will no longer tolerate the disregard of law from any quarters, particularly traders who are found of converting every available space into market.”
Speaking on the arrest made, Egbeyemi said, “ The illegal traders were arrested with different types of good ranging from fairly used clothes (okrika), shoes, belt, fairly used electronics, gas cylinders mobile phone accessories, amongst many other items that were confiscated by the enforcement team.”
While spending a warning signal to Traer’s in other parts of the State, the chairman said, “This is a pointer to other locations such as Oyingbo, Bariga, Mushin, Yaba, Orile-Iganmu, Apapa, Ikorodu, Mile 12, Ojota, Ojora, Obalende and Lagos Island where activities of these illegal traders impeded the free flow of traffic that it would not be business as usual till zero tolerance is maintained”
He also warned all market union leaders to desist from collecting illegal fees from these illegal traders and hawkers.The Agency warned owners of all illegally built kiosks and containarised shops on road set-backs and walk-ways to remove them immediately or face the wrath of the Law.
CSP Egbeyemi however confirmed that the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Zubairu Muazu has directed that the seven arrested traders be charged to court for prosecution.
Similarly, the Agency has served a 72 hours notice to food vendors blocking off Awolowo Road opposite Airport Hotel, Ikeja, to desist from preventing residents access to their respective home every night as such act contravene the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Law.
