Lagos sets to protect monumental arcades across Lagos

As part of her new year resolve,  the Lagos State Government has began  the protection of all  monumental arcades within the state from street trading, hawking and other environmental nuisances.

This disclosure was made by the Chairman of the Lagos State Task Force, SP Olayinka Egbeyemi, while dislodging  street traders around the ‘Tinubu Monumental Arcade’ located at Lagos Island Local Government Area over the weekend.

Egbeyemi who was in company of some kick Against Indiscipline (KAI)  Officals stated that while many of these ‘Monumental Arcades’  were primarily meant to preserve our  cultural heritage and to serve as achieves for academic research, others were provided just for relaxation and were named after heroes of this country.

According to the Chairman,  ” the increasing rate of environmental nuisances particularly street trading and hawking around Tinubu Square and all other ‘Monumental Arcades’ provided by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode is worrisome.  Most of them  by extension now block road setbacks and walkways constructed around the arcade.

” henceforth our agency would strictly implement the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Laws on any arrested street traders/hawkers causing environmental nuisances besides and around all monumental arcades across the State.”

He enjoined market leaders across the state to warn traders and hawkers to immediately stop displaying and selling wares besides and around all monumental arcades provided by the government.

SP Egbeyemi also advised traders not to extend their trading activities beyond areas strictly earmarked for market by the government as anyone arrested selling on road setbacks and walkways across the State would be charge to environmental courts and have thier wares confiscated.

Meanwhile, the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation and Special Offences Unit  (Task Force ) has relocated from Ikeja to Multi-purpose Agency complex, Bolade Oshodi opposite the Arena complex.

According to state government the relocation which equally affected some other government agencies was meant to strenghten their operations.

Other government agencies affected by the relocation  exercise includes Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), KAI, Nigeria Legion and Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Mobile Courts.