In a bid to create a safer and more orderly Lagos, the Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Unit (Taskforce) has hosted a Special Advocacy and Public Sensitization Programme at the Safety Arena, Bolade, Oshodi.
The event, themed Zero-Tolerance for Environmental and Traffic Offences, brought together stakeholders from across the state to address pressing issues impacting public safety and urban order.
The Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Pedro Lawal, accompanied by the Coordinator of the Mobile Court, Mrs. Arinola Ogbara-Banjoko, declared the event open.
Highlighting the Lagos State Government’s THEMES Plus agenda, Mr. Lawal emphasized that provisions such as bus stops and public toilets have been made to reduce traffic obstruction and prevent open defecation.
“The government has provided adequate infrastructure to curb these issues. Residents must play their part by adhering to the laws and making use of these facilities,” he said.
The sensitization programme outlined various offences affecting the environment and traffic flow, including:
- Driving against traffic (One-Way violations)
- Road obstruction
- Unauthorized street trading
- Open defecation
- Non-use of pedestrian bridges
- Illegal operation of motorcycles on highways
- Blocking streets for parties
- Picking passengers on highways
Taskforce officials engaged residents through sensitization tours in key areas, including Oshodi, Ikeja Along, Ikeja Under Bridge, and Abule Egba. The team also visited the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) Lagos Headquarters, where the union’s chairman, Sego, pledged his support for the initiative.
CSP Adetayo Akerele, Chairman of the Lagos State Taskforce, urged public cooperation in upholding the state’s environmental and traffic regulations.
“This programme reflects the agency’s unwavering resolve to promote awareness, enforce regulations, and foster a culture of responsibility among residents,” CSP Akerele stated.
He further assured Lagosians of the Taskforce’s commitment to ensuring a safe, serene, and habitable environment.
The programme marks a renewed effort by the Lagos State Government to tackle environmental and traffic challenges while fostering a sense of collective responsibility among its residents.
Gbadeyan Abdulraheem, the agency’s Director of Press and Public Affairs, noted that the event underscores the government’s determination to enforce laws that protect public welfare.
