The Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Enforcement Unit (Task Force) has warned transport unions and other stakeholders against allocating pedestrian walkways and public spaces to their members.
The chairman of the task force, CSP Adetayo Akerele, gave the warning during an engagement with transport unions, market leaders, traders and other stakeholders in Ikeja Division.
The engagement, themed “Promoting Public Safety and Environmental Best Practices in Lagos State,” was held at the Lagos State Safety Arena, Oshodi, on Wednesday.
Akerele said the meeting was part of efforts to strengthen collaboration with stakeholders to ensure public safety, environmental compliance and adherence to existing laws.
He said the task force would continue to enforce laws against the obstruction of pedestrian walkways, road setbacks and other public spaces.
The chairman expressed concern over reports that some union officials allocated pedestrian walkways and other public spaces to petty traders, obstructing free movement and creating environmental nuisances.
He urged stakeholders to support the government’s efforts to keep public spaces accessible and free from encroachment.
Akerele added that the task force was collaborating with relevant state agencies to address other environmental challenges, including waste management and open defecation.
“Enforcement alone can not achieve a clean and safe environment, sustained public safety and environmental sanitation requires collective responsibility,” he said.
He also urged scrap dealers to ensure that all members of their associations were properly registered and had verifiable means of identification.
According to him, proper identification of scrap dealers would enhance accountability, strengthen security and help law enforcement agencies distinguish legitimate operators from criminal elements.
Akerele said the initiative reflected the task force’s commitment to working with stakeholders to preserve public spaces, protect infrastructure and promote a cleaner and safer Lagos.
