Lagos taskforce dislodges street traders in Ikeja

The Lagos State Taskforce has reported the removal of illegal street traders from Alade Avenue, Orishe Street, and Johnson Street, off Obafemi Awolowo Way in Ikeja, the state capital.

According to the agency, these traders had transformed the sidewalks into makeshift markets and restaurants, causing significant human and vehicular traffic disruptions as well as severe environmental pollution along these routes and surrounding streets.

Gbadeyan Abdulraheem, Director of Press & Public Affairs for the Lagos State Taskforce, made this announcement in a statement issued to our correspondent on Tuesday.

The statement reads in part: “In the interest of maintaining environmental decorum and upholding Lagos State’s Mega City status, the Lagos State Taskforce has expelled illegal street traders from Alade Avenue, Orishe Street, and Johnson Street, off Obafemi Awolowo Way. These areas had been converted into makeshift markets and restaurants, leading to severe human and vehicular traffic obstructions as well as significant environmental pollution along these routes and neighbouring streets.

“The two-day raid, led by the Chairman of the Agency, CSP Adetayo Akerele, took place at dusk, a period when illegal street traders typically set up makeshift shops and place barriers on the roads, causing traffic impediments for vehicles accessing these routes.”

He added that the traders’ activities “have also been observed to seriously violate the state’s environmental laws through the indiscriminate disposal of waste and solid materials into gutters, which clog canals and drainage systems in the metropolis.”

The statement continued: “CSP Akerele described the raids, which will be an ongoing exercise, as a necessary step for the welfare of the public, who have long sought solutions to the problem of street trading, which also fosters criminality.

“Some of these locations serve as safe havens for criminals who benefit from their illicit activities. The flooding experienced in certain parts of the state is also a result of improper waste disposal, which clogs drainage channels.”

He noted that the activities of street traders, particularly at Johnson Street during the night, were unacceptable on all levels.

“They sell drugs indiscriminately, which is detrimental to society and contributes significantly to traffic congestion on Awolowo Road during rush hour, causing workers who have spent the entire day at work to endure additional hours in traffic just to get home. This is unfair to the residents, and we will ensure that it is reduced to the bare minimum,” he said.

Akerele reaffirmed the State Government’s stance on street trading and assured that all efforts would be made to eliminate it.

He revealed that the Agency is collaborating with other relevant agencies to ensure environmental preservation as outlined in the THEMES PLUS agenda of the State Government.

The Chairman urged recalcitrant street traders and vendors to relocate their businesses to designated trading areas and vacate the streets and inner roads.

He said the Agency will thoroughly investigate areas where street trading has obstructed traffic flow and inconvenienced residents.

Residents with information regarding street blockages by illegal traders or other environmental violations are encouraged to contact the Agency via social media or visit its headquarters at Bolade Oshodi.

“We will continue to operate in line with the THEMES PLUS agenda of the State Government and the directives of the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Adegoke Fayoade.”

The statement concluded: “All suspects arrested were carefully screened; those with legitimate businesses were released, while others will face legal action.”