The Lagos State Government on
Sunday read the riot act to all the owners of illegal structures, shanties,
street hawkers and those who have converted walkways into trading points and
food courts in Ikoyi, Victoria Island and the Lagoon Front of Lekki, just as it
issued a 14-day grace period to remove such illegal structures.
In a statement signed by the
Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr Tunji Bello, the State Government
warned that if such illegal structures are not removed after the 14 days grace,
the State Special Task Force on the Clean Up of the areas would move in to
enforce the laws.
“The owners of all illegal
structures, shanties, abandoned buildings and all those who have converted road
median to commercial uses in Ikoyi, Victoria Island and Lekki have between
today (Monday) and two weeks’ time to comply or have the State Special Task
Force on the Clean Up of the areas to contend with,” the SSG warned.
The statement added that
owners of all abandoned buildings in different areas of Ikoyi, Lekki and
Victoria Island which are now harbouring prostitutes, illegal miscreants and
unwanted elements must clear the structures of such undesirable elements immediately.
He specifically warned owners
of properties on the Lagoon fronts of Lekki Phase 1 who have littered the whole
areas with compactors and several other deadweight equipments to remove them
out immediately.
Bello said the State
Government was concerned about the conversion of the frontages of properties
and abandoned houses to kiosks and trading points by maids and guards as well
as the unregulated activities of horticulturists who have turned setbacks to
hide outs and selling points.
He reiterated the determination
of the Ambode-led administration to restore the original master plan of Ikoyi,
Victoria Island and Lekki by checking the activities of roadside automobile
repairers who have converted many dual carriage lanes to single lanes with
indiscriminate parkings.
He said the State Government
would no longer tolerate unauthorized parking of vehicles, trucks, among others
on drainage infrastructure, adding that owners of such vehicles and properties
with unkempt drainages will be prosecuted.
Bello said it was totally
unacceptable for people to stockpile and display wares such as bags of charcoal
on major Roads like Ahmadu Bello Way and Federal Secretariat Road, Ikoyi,
stating that henceforth such goods would be confiscated and the owners prosecuted.
“We are using this medium to
sensitize members of the public and residents of the affected areas who are
involved in these illegalities to immediately take right action and do the
needful as the State Government will take the necessary steps to enforce its
environmental and sanitation laws forthwith.
“All those engaging in
roadside display of wares, illegal street trading and all illegal squatters on
undeveloped land and all those who have converted road median to commercial
uses in Ikoyi, Victoria Island and Lekki are being advised in their own
interest to put a stop to the illegalities,” he said.
Tags
Society