VIDEO: Lagos seizes alcoholic drinks from street traders to curb drunk driving

Officials of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps impounded alcoholic drinks sold by street traders to drivers at Olupese Terminal Park and Oshodi-Bolade Garages on Tuesday.

The state Commissioner, Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed this in a statement on X.com.

Wahab stated that the clampdown was to curb the rising number of road accidents caused by drunk driving.

He wrote, “As part of concerted efforts undertaken by the state government to mitigate the trend of alcohol consumption by commercial drivers across different parks and garages in the state as discovered to be a primary trigger for motor accidents, the Lagos Environmental Sanitation Corps popularly known as KAI impounded alcoholic drinks during a raid on Olupese Terminal Park and Oshodi-Bolade Garages on Tuesday.”

The Corps Marshal, Major Olaniyi Cole (retd.), was also said to have warned street traders and hawkers to cease their activities, which are illegal under state law.

“He maintained that the resolve of the agency in the war against street trading, displaying wares for sale in traffic on walkways, setbacks, lay-bys, gutter slabs, road verges, and medians will be sustained and defaulters will be met with stiff opposition,” the statement added.

The Lagos State Government has, in different operations, intensified its campaign against street trading, demolishing shanties, and ejecting roadside traders.

In July 2023, the Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Gaji Omobolaji, declared zero tolerance for street trading stating that the action was in line with the T.H.E.M.E.S. Agenda of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to promote a cleaner and more aesthetic environment, ensure total enforcement of the environmental sanitation laws and create a safer state for all.

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