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.
Secretary to the State Government and Chairman of the Committee, Tunji Bello, disclosed Wednesday.
He said 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.
