By Olasunkanmi Akoni

The Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Unit (Taskforce) has reaffirmed dedication to ensuring a safe, secure, and habitable environment, even as it stressed the need for compliance with relevant laws of the State.

Chairman of the State Taskforce, Chief Superintendent of Police, CSP, Adetayo Akerele, made the remarks at a Special Advocacy and Public Sensitization Programme, held at the agency’s Headquarters, Safety Arena, Bolade, Oshodi, Lagos, over the weekend.

The event, brought together stakeholders from across the state to address pressing environmental and traffic-related issues under the theme: “Zero-Tolerance for Environmental and Traffic Offences.”

The State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Pedro Lawal, in company of the Coordinator of Mobile Court, Mrs. Arinola Ogbara-Banjoko, declared the programme open.

They stated that the THEMES Plus developmental agenda of the present administration, led by Governor Bababjide Sanwo-Olu, has provided enough bus stops and toilets to prevent traffic obstruction, picking up passengers on the highway and the toilets to prevent open defecation indiscriminately across the metropolis.

The programme highlighted critical violations that pose threats to public safety and urban order to include: Driving against traffic (One-Way violations), obstruction of roadways, unauthorized street trading, open defecation, non-use of pedestrian bridges.

Others are: Illegal operation of motorcycles (Okada) on highways, blocking streets for parties, picking passengers on highways.

The taskforce officials, subsequently embarked on sensitization tours to key areas of tte State such as: Oshodi, Ikeja-Along, Ikeja Under Bridge, and Abule Egba, among others, engaging with residents, traders and community leaders.

The highlight of the tour was the team’s visit to the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, Lagos Headquarters, Agege, where it was warmly received by the Chairman of the Union , Mustapha Adekunle, popularly called, Sego, and his executive members, who pledged their unalloyed support for the initiative.

Speaking on the occasion, taskforce boss, stressed the need for public collaboration in upholding the state’s environmental and traffic laws.

According to Akerele, “This programme reflects the agency’s unwavering resolve to promote awareness, enforce regulations, and foster a culture of responsibility among residents.

“I want to further assure Lagosisns that the state taskforce remains resolute in its mission to uphold the laws of the state, ensuring a safe, serene, and habitable environment for all.”