LASG Demolishes Over 150 Illegal Shanties, Kiosks

Operatives of the Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit, on Wednesday, demolished over 150 illegal shanties, kiosks and shop extensions around Arewa Community Central Mosque popularly called ‘Masalashi Alhaja’ in Agege area of Lagos State.

Speaking on the exercise, the Chairman of the Agency, CSP. Olayinka Egbeyemi, stated that the demolition exercise became imperative following the degradation of the environment by miscreants and illegal traders, particularly within the vicinity of the mosque.

He disclosed that relevant stakeholders, including Alhaji Musa Muhammad Dogon Kadai, the Sarki of Agege, were notified before the demolition of the illegal shanties and kiosks took place.

According to him “The Mosque had been sealed for over four months due to the attack on officials of the Lagos State COVID-19 Taskforce by some worshippers while enforcing the lockdown directives by the State and Federal Government”.

“The area has since become an eyesore and a security threat to law-abiding residents, including innocent members of the public, as the entire vicinity and the surroundings of the mosque had been occupied by miscreants and illegal traders”, he added.

CSP. Egbeyemi assured members of the public that the Agency will continue to enforce both the Lagos State Environmental Law and Lagos State Traffic Reform Law of 2018 to achieve the T.H.E.M.E.S agenda of the present administration.

Also Lagos State Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Mrs. Yetunde Arobieke has sought the involvement of private organisations to stimulate the economy, through various wealth creation initiatives.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ summit held on Wednesday at NECA House with the theme “Wealth Creation through Economic Empowerment – Catalyst for Holistic Transformation”, the Commissioner noted that the unemployment gap in the State can easily be bridged if the various employability and empowerment initiatives by the government are supported by corporate institutions.

She said the summit was organised in line with the Ministry’s commitment to championing diverse ways of sustainable wealth creation for Lagosians, stressing that government alone cannot meet the needs of the masses.

Arobieke averred that the summit was convened to allow the government and the private sector deliberate and identify key factors that will serve as inputs for policy formulation, and areas of existing legislation that require improvement.

“It is my belief that the summit will no doubt help create a conducive and vibrant platform to enable the Ministry boost its existing structure that will, in turn, impact the unemployed members of the society using wealth creation strategies that will create sustainable wealth”, she noted.

The Commissioner envisaged that the outcome of the summit will help reposition the State’s economy through the implementation of well defined strategic and operational frameworks that promote traditional and social entrepreneurship among unemployed youths and artisans.

While highlighting the efforts by the present administration towards addressing the plight of the unemployed in Lagos, Arobieke revealed that the gestures by Governor Sanwo-Olu range from employability training, re-skilling of artisans and access to loan facilities among others.

“The Governor has approved the selection of 2,000 job seekers for internship programmes at corporate organisations where they will be well trained with skills to enhance their capacities for six months. The State Government will be paying them allowances after which they stand the chance of being retained by the organisations after their internship,” she stated.

Reiterating that the present administration is doing a lot in upscaling the skills of artisans, youths and women through the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), the Commissioner noted that applicants access funds and working tools after meeting stipulated conditions.

Chairman of the Lagos State Assembly House Committee on Wealth Creation and Employment, Mr. Jude Idimogu stated that the theme of the summit is apt, in view of the present condition of the country, advocating for a holistic transformation in wealth creation, especially in the area of creativity which is essential for a sustainable means of livelihood.

He, however, assured participants at the summit that the legislative arm of the State Government will continue to enact business-friendly policies to engender the growth of businesses across the State.

By Grace Tunji