LASG Gives Alaba Rago Traders 72-Hour Quit Notice, Reads Riot Act

By Akinwale Kasali

The Lagos State Government through the State Taskforce is set to embark on a major enforcement exercise. To this end, it has issued a 72-hour ultimatum to street traders and illegal occupants along the Alaba Rago corridor of the Mile 2–Badagry Expressway to quit.

The aim of this enforcement exercise is to put an end to street trading and show the State’s commitment to enforcing environmental laws as stipulated in the Lagos State Environmental Laws of 2017.

This was disclosed in a statement by the Task Force’s Public Relation Officer, Gbadeyan Abdulraheem. He  said the agency, the Taskforce and other enforcement agencies are collaborating in clearing illegal trading activities on highways, walkways, road medians and setbacks along the Alaba Rago axis.

It added that the corridor has become a source of concern for motorists, pedestrians, residents and visitors entering the country through the Seme border due to the rising environmental degradation, safety risks and security challenges.

Abdulraheem noted that the enforcement exercise will target makeshift shops, illegal structures, mini brothels, used-plastic depots, indiscriminate waste-disposal sites, and other environmental violations affecting the area.

CSP Adetayo Akerele, Chairman of the Taskforce, stated during the sensitisation exercise that affected traders and occupants should leave voluntarily within the stipulated period to avoid sanctions.

He, however, described the Alaba Rago corridor along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway, also known as the ECOWAS Road, as a strategic route that cannot be allowed to remain under the grip of illegal activities.

“Lagos State cannot continue to overlook the level of illegal activities and environmental hazards in the area. The situation is inconsistent with the status of a modern megacity, and the time has come to enforce the law,” he said.

He further noted that the government had engaged stakeholders through dialogue and public enlightenment before embarking on the planned operation.

Akerele warned that anyone found trading illegally on highways, walkways or road setbacks after the expiration of the notice would have their goods confiscated as well as face legal action.

He reiterated the Lagos State government’s commitment to maintaining environmental order, safety, and security across the state, in line with the administration’s THEMES Plus Agenda.