Lagos rejigs environmental policy, clears metropolis of abandoned vehicles

IN pursuit of its environmental policy, especially in urban centres, the Lagos State government has announced plans to commence removal of all abandoned vehicles on roads to complement emergency recovery efforts and prevent mishaps on streets and major highways in the state.

Explaining the rationale for the decision and the urgency it requires, Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, Mr Oluseye Oladejo, who said this during the ongoing ministerial press briefing commemorating the third year anniversary of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode in office, said the move was aimed at further addressing traffic decongestion and averting security challenges associated with abandoned vehicles, particularly in the metropolis.

Already, Oladejo said the governor has approved the creation of Vehicle Recovery Unit to solely see to the removal of abandoned and accident vehicles on the roads which would be under the Ministry of Special Duties, adding that plans were being firmed up for the take-off of the unit soon.

According to him, “The ministry late in 2017 was given the mandate to set up a unit for vehicle towing and recovery services to remove abandoned and accidental vehicles from our roads.

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“I am happy to inform you that the Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Relations has gotten approval from his excellency, the Governor, to set up a Towing and Recovery Unit in the Ministry to complement the emergency rescue efforts of the state.”

Besides, he noted that the spate at which abandoned vehicles are donning the streets of Lagos is antithetical to the environmental expectation of the State government.

“Most of these abandoned vehicles not only constitute environmental nuisance, but become an abode for the criminal elements in the society, with many of them turned into weeds smoking joints and other untoward behaviours.

“This speaks largely to efforts in terms of prevention to mop up abandoned vehicles in all nooks and crannies in the State and also to make sure that broken down vehicles are promptly removed to prevent mishaps on the highways. For the smooth take off of the Unit, the Governor also directed that equipment and towing trucks of various capacities be procured to be able to remove vehicles of whatever make and size.”

Speaking further, the Commissioner said as part of efforts to improve the functionality of Fire Service Department and to efficiently manage disasters, the Governor has also approved the recruitment of additional 150 fire fighters who would join the newly inducted 100, while 70 ad-hoc staff of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) had already been absorbed into the State civil service.

“We have also scaled up the functionality of the fire fighters with the induction of a new set of 100 operatives. These fire fighters have just completed their mandatory training and have been inducted into the fire service to join the existing fire fighters. We have also recently recruited additional 150 fire officers who are currently undergoing training and will be inducted into the fire service in the next few months.

“To continue to comprehensively manage disasters in the State, Governor Ambode absorbed over 70 ad hoc staff of the Agency into the mainstream of the State Civil Service in November 2017, while also approved payment of special allowance for staff of the Agency. The idea is to get the best out of these workers who have demonstrated uncommon dedication and commitment to duty,” Oladejo said.

Besides, the Commissioner said within the last one year, two new fire stations were established in Bolade-Oshodi and Abesan, while approval had been granted for creation of four stations to be located in Safety Arena, Eredo-Epe, Olorunda-Badagry and ijegun-Satelite Town.

In addition, Oladejo said the fire stations in Alausa, Ikeja, Isolo, Agegeilupeju,Badagry-Suru, Ikotun and Agege were upgraded to further guarantee prompt response to fire and other distress calls, adding that all the stations totalling 16 were not only fully operational, but strategically situated to provide swift and effective services to people across the State.

Giving a breakdown of fire incidents in the last one year in the State, Oladejo said within the period under review, the Department of State Fire Service salvaged property worth N76.9billion from destruction, while it received a total of 1,282 emergency calls, with 980 fire calls, 202 rescue calls and 83 false calls, adding that despite the sizeable number of incidents recorded, the State Government was able to respond promptly to the emergencies thereby saving lots of lives and properties.

“Within the period under review, the State Government rehabilitated and upgraded 225 old Fire Hydrants that were initially below ground level in Lagos Metropolis and Installed 50 new additional ones to link the Mini/Micro Water Works in the State. The hydrants have been providing easy access to copious Water supply for Firemen during Fire fighting and Rescue Operations.