The recently inaugurated Lagos State Special Committee on
Clean-Up of Ikoyi, Lekki, and Victoria Island has concluded plans to commence
the enforcement of the Environmental Sanitation and Town Planning laws in the
affected areas after the Sallah holidays, reports ITRealms.
Secretary to the State Government and Chairman of the
Committee, Tunji Bello, disclosed Wednesday, that this is coming in the wake of
expiration of the two-week ultimatum issued to all owners of illegal
structures, abandoned buildings now harbouring prostitutes, shanties, street
hawkers and those who have converted walkways into trading points and food
courts in the affected suburbs.
According to him, the 14-day ultimatum, which will expire on
September 11, 2016, was given to the owners of such illegal structures to
dismantle them voluntarily.
He said the Committee resolved to first embark on
sensitization campaign to give the owners of such illegal structures enough
notices to willingly pull down such structures themselves before the government
steps in which will also result in prosecute of owners.
Bello also disclosed that every modality has been put in
place to ensure that the original master plan of Ikoyi, Lekki, and Victoria
Island as envisioned by the founding fathers is maintained, stressing that the
committee is poised to discharge its responsibilities, which includes to
“Immediately commence the implementation of the approved action plan and
execution of the clean-up exercise; develop strategies for preventing
re-occurrences as well as other recommendations as necessary to sustain
environmental renewal of these areas; and embark on a public sensitization
exercise for the sustenance of a cleaner community in the axis.”
The committee, he further said, that the administration of
Governor Ambode remains committed to doing everything possible to bring
environmental sanity back to every part of the State.
Reiterating Governor Ambode’s position, Bello quoted him as
saying “Cases of abandoned properties have become very rampant with miscreants
and criminal elements taking over these properties as their base to cause
havoc. The neat road sides of the past now parade pockets of kiosks, illegal
parking lots, unapproved mechanic workshops, roadside beer parlours and
commercial centres. In addition,
originally residential areas now have industrial and commercial concerns
located there, distorting the balance of the environment.
“These bad environmental practices, thriving in these prime
areas, can no longer be tolerated and will be brought to an end immediately.
These areas MUST regain their lost glory as this administration demands a return
of environmental normalcy,” Ambode said.
Bello warned those still sitting on the fence to rethink on
the Clean-Up to make use of the window offered to them now or face the full
force of the law.
Ayo Omidele/GEE
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