LASG Announces  Traffic Diversion From Ijora For Two Days, Warns Against Illegal Parking On Roads

In furtherance to the notification received from the Federal Ministry of Works on the Ijora Eastlink/Causeway project, the Lagos State Government has announced that there will be Traffic diversion at Ijora from 4:00 pm on Sunday, 6th November till 5:00 am on Monday, 7th November, 2022.

A statement signed by the Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Frederic Oladeinde said motorists will be diverted into National Theatre to access Ijora and Costain to ensure seamless rehabilitation of the flexible pavement which links Eko Bridge without vehicular interference.

He assured the motoring public of efficient traffic management by the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) personnel along the affected routes.

Oladeinde also encouraged the Citizenry to cooperate with the Government to minimise inconveniences, adding that the several ongoing projects across the state are geared towards creating and maintaining an efficient transportation system in Lagos.

Similarly, as the yuletide draws closer, the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Central Business Districts, Mr. Gbenga Oyerinde has warned traders to stop displaying wares on the roads, walkways, medians, road setbacks, bus stops, and on drainage alignments, just as he appealed to motorists against illegal parking on major roads.

Oyerinde said the warning was necessitated due to the flagrant violation of the Traffic Laws by traders and motorists who have turned major roads and drainage alignments into parking spaces and makeshift shops, imploring them to vacate the roads or face sanctions. He said no one is permitted to convert the roads, medians, set-backs and walkways to markets or street shops.

He lamented that despite several appeals by the State Government, some traders violate the environmental laws, informing that the present administration would no longer tolerate such lawlessness.

“Our focus is to maintain sanity in our business districts which are now being violated by the illegal activities of some individuals. We cannot fold our arms and allow distortion of the master plan of the business districts to continue, therefore, our enforcement officers have been directed to prevent such violations”, he said.

Oyerinde pointed out that Section (1) of the Lagos State Street Trading and Illegal Markets Prohibition Law of 2003 which prohibits both buyers and sellers from engaging in business activities at an unauthorised place is still in force and the agency will not relent in its monitoring and enforcement activities.

Oyerinde avered that the agency was stepping up its operations towards ensuring a total clampdown on recalcitrant traders who refuse to comply with warnings and advocacy against hawking, street trading and illegal parking.

He said: “Our enforcement officers are now on regular patrol along the CBDs axis and have been mandated to improve their monitoring operations so that traders, shoppers and other stakeholders will feel safe to transact their businesses”.

The Special Adviser promised residents and visitors to expect smooth business transactions in a secure environment within the Ikeja and Lagos Island Business Districts, saying;  measures are in place to curtail any activity that may constitute a breach of security.

While imploring the public to draw the attention of the agency to actions and activities that could threaten the peace of the business districts, Oyerinde called on market leaders and community development associations to support the agency in curbing the activities of the illegal traders to ensure free flow of traffic in the business districts.