Lagos reads riot act to residents over gated streets

LAGOS State government on Thursday warned residents in the state to desist from the practice of locking down their streets with iron gates, saying it would henceforth punish defaulters who continue to engage in such practice.

The State’s Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Hon. Muslim Folami, issued the warning at the 2018 ministerial press briefing to commemorate the third year of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s administration office.

Folami said the present administration in the state was concerned about the welfare and safety of the residents, even as pointed out that there was a law in Lagos State that forbade residents installing street gates indiscriminately.

According to him, the reason the state government is opposed to the practice of keeping gates perpetually locked is that there may be emergencies, recalling sadly that cases, where some pregnant women in labour died because the gates were closed, had been recorded in the past.

“There is a law in Lagos State that forbids residents installing street gates indiscriminately in the state. The residents must obey the laws of the state government. We are not saying you should not have gates in your streets but those gates where installed should be manned 24 hours.

“The reason we are opposed to the practice of keeping gates perpetually locked is that there may be emergencies, there may be fire outbreak. A pregnant woman can fall into labour anytime and would want to go to the hospital if you lock the gates what happens? We have had cases where some pregnant women died because the gates were closed.

“There were so many incidents of fire outbreak and the streets could not be accessed to put out the fire because the gates to the streets were closed. We will not fold our hands and allow such things to happen. What are we doing as the government then if we allow such things to happen? We have decided that henceforth anyone found guilty will be punished,” Folami said.

The commissioner said the ministry, during the year under review, upgraded the Lagos State University (LASU) FM and LASPOTECH FM equipment in order to deliver quality broadcasting to its audience and environs.

According to him, the ministry also organised a stakeholders meeting with the market leaders and traders across the state on the need to comply with the directive of the state government on Cleaner Lagos Initiative (CLI) and dumping of refuse in unauthorised places by the traders in their markets to prevent environmental hazards.

“Also, the ministry embarked on sensitisation tour of all the markets across the state on the need to eradicate street trading and keeping their respective markets and environment clean. Shop owners at Tejuosho and Oyingbo markets were also advised to take possession of their allotted shops.

“The ministry presented Insurance benefit to the beneficiaries of deceased staff of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and Local Government and Local Council Development Areas through the Local Government Administration Department in conjunction with LASACO Plc.

“The ministry embarked on a sensitisation exercise on the re-issuance of E-Marriage Certificates to affected persons as directed by the State High Court while new marriages are being conducted at the Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas across the state in conformity with the Inter-Governmental Marital Committee (IMC) stipulations,” the commissioner said.

Speaking further, Folami said the present administration’s commitment to rapid development at the grassroots compelled Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to upgrade and approve six Baales to Obaship stools.

According to him, the governor, after due process, gave approval for the installation and presentation of Staff of Office and Instrument of Appointment to Oba (Engr) Basiru Aremu Shotonwa, Osomeku 1 as the Sekumade of Ipakodo; Oba Muritalab Aremu Ogun– Oloko, Adeori- Okin 1, as Olu of Iwaya, among others.