Lagos task force seeks enforcement of high tension cables directive
The Lagos State Special Task Force on the police has called for the support of market leaders (Iya Oloja and Baba Oloja) to faithfully enforce the state government’s directive on high tension cables across the state.
The Chairman of the special Task Force, Mr. Olayinka Egbeyemi, disclosed this while supervising the demolition exercise carried out by the operatives of the Agency where more than 235 illegal shops and 125 containers were demolished at Igbara market, Jakande, along Lekki-Epe express road.
Speaking on the demolition, Egbeyemi disclosed that the exercise which the government has embarked upon should not be seen as been punitive but to be viewed from Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode’s efforts geared towards saving of lives and properties of members of the public.
He enjoined market leaders at all Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas of the State to support the government by educating traders on the imminent danger by trading under high tension cables.
The Chairman said, “high current flowing between these high tension cables with its intermittent sound poses imminent danger to health.”
The task force boss also confirmed that a seven days’ notice was served on shops owners and all traders before the demolition exercise was carried out. He however stated that no responsible and responsive government would tolerate any trading activities under such dangerous condition.
The Chairman of the Spare Parts Traders Association at the market Mr. Ugo Onuha who also spoke to news men disclosed that they have been operating at the market for more than 20 years.
Said Ugo: “the market was constructed by Igbara Communities which comprises three different families namely Lawal family, Balogun family and Badanu family. While the family collects N3000 to N5,000 from those selling inside a container shop other who trade inside brick shops pays N10,000 to N20,000 monthly.”
Mr. Onuha and his Vice-chairman Mr. Lazarous Obina however pleaded with the Lagos government to construct low medium market for traders around the area as those constructed by private developers is beyond their reach.
A representative of the Lawal family who spoke on behalf of his family Mr Lateef Lawal disclosed that since the government served the seven
days’ notice on the market, the Igbara Communities have started looking for a possible relocation of traders to a new Land around the area.
days’ notice on the market, the Igbara Communities have started looking for a possible relocation of traders to a new Land around the area.
Mr. Lawal however commended the government for serving notices ahead of the demolition exercise. Saying that the notice had enabled all traders to move their wares and properties from individual container and shop before the demolitions.
