Lagos Ministry of Environment to combat street trading in the metropolis

The Lagos State Government says it is set to combat the menace of street trading and hawking within the metropolis.

This, the Ministry of the Environment noted in a statement, was part of efforts to attain a cleaner and healthier environment.

The Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr. Oluwatoyin Onisarotu, was quoted as saying that traders that failed to abide by the state environmental sanitation laws would be dealt with accordingly.

“It is disheartening to see how our major roads and highways such as the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, Ikorodu Road, Agege Motor Road, Victoria Island, Ikoyi-Obalende, Ojuelegba-Stadium, Surulere, Oyingbo, Carter Bridge, Idumota, Oshodi, Ketu, Mile 12, Third Mainland Bridge, Cele, Iyana-Ipaja, Agbado, Oke-Odo, Airport Road and Ikeja, among others, have been converted to illegal markets,” he said.

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Onisarotu said traders engaging in the illegal act should desist as the government would not allow anything that could derail its efforts of achieving a cleaner environment in the state.

“The Environmental Sanitation Law forbids anybody from converting the road median, setbacks and walkways for any trading activities,” he added.

According to him, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, has mandated law enforcement officers and regulatory agencies to ensure compliance with the provisions of the sanitation laws with immediate effect.