The Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Central Business Districts, Mr Olugbenga Oyerinde, who gave the assurance, on Monday, while monitoring the security and traffic situations within the business districts, stressed that the Central Business Districts Management Office, in conjunction with the Nigeria Police and other security agencies, have put in place major steps to ensure a safe and secure business environment within the Lagos Island and Ikeja CBD during the period.
Oyerinde noted that Lagos Island Business districts usually witnessed a high influx of people during festive periods, adding that the Office had harmonised environmental, traffic and safety enforcement activities with sister agencies to prevent gridlock, guarantee security and remove all impediments that could constitute a danger to Lagosians.
He said: “All enforcement officers are now on regular patrol along the CBDs axis and have been mandated to improve on their performances in a way that traders, shoppers and other stakeholders will appreciate and feel safe to transact their businesses.”
The Special Adviser promised residents and visitors adequate protection within the Lagos Island and Ikeja Business Districts, saying strategies are in place to curtail violence and other activities that may constitute a breach of security; such measures include useful public enlightenment, regular patrol, surveillance, community relations and intelligence report to crime-fighters.
He disclosed further that as part of efforts to drastically reduce the traffic snarl usually experienced on the Tinubu-Apongbon route occasioned by street traders and illegal parking, the Office has started the erection of iron barriers on the axis to forestall inflow of traders and extension of shops onto the road and walkways.
Revealing that various meetings have been held with transport union members, market leaders and security operatives on proper use of the authorised parks within the business district, Oyerinde gave an assurance that all relevant agencies will be on ground to ensure that vehicles are not allowed to pick and drop passengers indiscriminately.
“There is going to be the presence of enforcement officers across the business districts and I want to say that no obstruction will be permitted on all the axis; no commercial vehicle would be allowed to stop in unauthorised places and any broken down vehicle within the routes will be removed within a reasonable time in order ensure free flow of traffic,” the Special Adviser maintained.
While wishing Lagosians happy celebrations, he advised shoppers, motorists and traders to obey all relevant environmental and traffic rules by not parking vehicles and dumping refuse in unauthorised areas while shopping.
He further advised against patronage of illegal bus stops but make use of only authorised bus parks and garages to board vehicles to their various destinations.
