 |
| Ambode |
Lagos State Government
yesterday
gave
a seven- day ultimatum to residents of gated streets to
open
the gates or barricades
leading to major roads in the state, or
it
may be compelled to dismantle such gates and barricades after the expiration of
the ultimatum.
Commissioner
for Local Government and Community Affairs, Mr. Muslim Olohuntele Folami, who
said this at a press
conference, said the gated streets were currently doing more harm than good in
the state.
“While
some communities fortified their gates with all manners of objects, others have
constructed theirs in such a way that they could only allow cars and not even
buses to pass through.
“Recent
trend has become worrisome as some residents erect gates with all sorts of
objects.
“This
is unacceptable where the residents fail to comply, government will pull down
the gates and they have seven days to comply. ”
Also
speaking, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s Special Assistant on Community Affairs,
Mr. Tajudeen Quadri, flanked by Adviser to the governor on Communications and
Community Affairs, Mr. Kehinde Bamigbetan, said recent trends on streets with
gates have given cause for concern considering the many bottlenecks it created.
Quadri
said the new directive is that the gates in the streets be opened from 5:00am
and be closed by 12 midnight, saying the present administration in the state
was determined to find solutions to the problems that make life difficult for
the citizenry.
He
said: “It should be noted that the former and present administrations in the
state have committed enormous resources, skills, knowledge, materials and money
to fighting crime.
“The
unrelenting posture of this administration is no doubt, pushing these efforts
further at various programmes such as equipping and motivating the rank and
file of the state Police Command, lighting up of streets, road construction and
rehabilitation, beautification of open spaces or environment which hitherto had
served as hideouts for miscreants and societal misfits and opening hitherto
inaccessible roads.”
“The
effects of all these laudable achievements would, however be limited without
the cooperation of the communities, especially in abiding with the directives
of the government. As part of efforts to secure themselves and their property,
Lagos residents, in the early 2005, resorted to constructing street gates and
setting up barricades in their streets to ward off criminals and possibly
unwanted guests that have nothing to do in their areas.
“This
government therefore observes with caution that though the erection and closing
of these gates may be desirable, the consequences on the overall urban
efficiency, aesthetics and functionality of the city and especially traffic
flow poses questions difficult to answer.”
Quadri
noted that though the barricades are well intended but it constitutes
obstructions to traffic, especially in areas, where such street gates or
barricades are on roads meant to serve as thoroughfares or alternative link
routes.
“Apart
from the bottlenecks they created, they became hurdles that the police, fire
engines and vehicles on emergency have to scale when carrying out their
legitimate duties.
“Observing
the effects of these structures on the people, the economy of the state, lives
and property, Lagos State Government in 2009 then ordered that all gates or
barricades leading to major roads in the state be should be locked between 12
mid—night and 5 am
,and any gate locked must be manned by security guards in case there is any
need to go out to allow for free flow of vehicular movement, reduce traffic
congestion and remove the difficulties ambulances and individuals faced taking
sick people or pregnant women who are in’ labour to hospital at night.
“This
directive was a welcomed one, as it saved motorists and commuters’ useful
man-hours and unnecessary stress often suffered on the road.”
He
lamented that as the years rolled by the directives seem to be abandoned, as
the street gates are making a comeback, even on streets that never had them
before.
He
pointed out that some communities fortify their gates with all manners of
objects, while others have constructed theirs in such a way that they could
only allow cars and not even buses to pass through, urging the Community
Development Council in the state to adhere strictly to the directive which must
be disseminated to all CDAs for enforcement.
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