Lagos goes tough on street trading, traffic law

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State yesterday presided over the monthly security council meeting at Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja, with an assurance that the council will intensify its enforcement against street trading as well as ensure that the Road Traffic Law is enforced to the letter.Briefing newsmen after the meeting, Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni, said the meeting discussed various issues bordering on street trading, robbery in traffic, influx of elements being taken as Boko Haram and some other issues, with a way to finding lasting solution.

“The meeting looked holistically at what transpired in the state in the past one month with a view of finding lasting solution. For instance, we discussed  issues on street trading, robbery in traffic, influx of elements suspected to be Boko Haram noticed in the metropolis in the past few days”, Owoseni said.

The Police Commissioner also assured that the section of the Traffic Law as it related to restriction of movement of trailers and articulated vehicles between the hours of 6am to 9pm will be enforced in a manner that will not impede commercial activities in the state.

He however said that Section 2(1) of the law exempts trucks conveying petroleum products and passenger vehicles.

He said the meeting has resolved to enforce laws against street trading, most especially the truck drivers complying with the existing laws.

“We shall ensure we enforce the law, most especially with the truck drivers complying with the extant laws and also ensure that extant laws on street trading is enforced, with regards to that we looked at human element in enforcing the law”, he said.

He added that aside from enforcements, the council also decided to embark upon sensitization and public enlightenment as a strategy to dissuade members of the public from patronizing street traders.

“We do a lot of enlightenment with regards to that. With enforcement, we combine it with enlightenment and synergise with stakeholders to make sure that the laws that have been enacted are obeyed and we enforce them strictly”.

“We’ve also stepped up efforts on where okada are prohibited and we keep up effort on that. In the course of enforcement we don’t add to the gridlock. We appeal to members of the public to beware of fake security operatives coming to them”, he said.

The Police Commissioner also enumerated strategies being put in place to prevent armed groups from infiltrating the state.

He said, “It is important that we do not allow any form of armed groups to come into the state before reacting. This is why we have put in place proactive measures such as constant raids on dark spots and criminal hide outs as well as random checks at entry points into the state”.

He however urged all law abiding citizens to continue to go about their legitimate business without fear of molestation.