The Lagos State Government has disclosed that it prosecuted more than 100 people in the last one year for illegally occupying road medians and violating environmental regulations.
The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, made this known on Wednesday during an inspection of the ongoing clearance of illegal traders and squatters from the Okokomaiko–Orile road median.
The exercise, according to the state government on its offical social media handles, is aimed at permanently clearing the corridor, which has been designated for the Lagos Rail Mass Transit project.
Wahab said the inspection was to assess compliance with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s directive to remove all illegal structures and commercial activities obstructing the road median, noting that years of engagement with traders had failed to produce lasting results.
“This is a major highway built with public funds. For years, we have repeatedly engaged those occupying the median and consistently pushed them back from the Okokomaiko end to Orile. Enough is enough. We are determined to permanently clear this corridor and ensure that it remains free from all forms of encroachment,” he said.
He explained that the wide road median was intentionally reserved for the Lagos Rail Mass Transit project, adding that the government would continue monitoring the corridor to prevent displaced traders from returning.
“We will continue to patrol this stretch and ensure that those dislodged do not return. This median has been reserved for the rail project, and it must be protected for that purpose,” the commissioner added.
On environmental sanitation, Wahab urged residents to dispose of waste properly through their designated Private Sector Participation waste operators instead of dumping refuse on roads and public spaces.
“It does not reflect positively on us as a people when waste generated in our homes is dumped on road medians and other public places. Residents should patronise their PSP operators and immediately report any failure in service delivery to LAWMA. There is no justification for indiscriminate waste disposal,” he said.
He also warned traders and market leaders to maintain clean markets, saying environmental sanitation was a shared responsibility.
“If traders cannot keep their markets clean, then they should not be doing business there. Environmental cleanliness is a collective responsibility and must be taken seriously by everyone,” Wahab said.
The commissioner disclosed that the ministry had “within the last year, prosecuted more than 100 offenders for encroaching on road medians and violating environmental regulations.”
He added that the state’s environmental laws provide sanctions for actions that undermine public infrastructure and environmental sustainability, stressing that enforcement would continue without fear or favour.
Wahab reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting critical infrastructure, preserving the alignment for the Lagos Rail Mass Transit project and improving environmental sanitation across the state.
