The Chairman of the Lagos State Task Force, CSP Adetayo Akerele, has vowed to intensify the arrest and prosecution of traffic and environmental offenders across the state.

Akerele made the declaration on Tuesday during a stakeholders’ engagement meeting held at the Safety Arena, Bolade, Oshodi, where he addressed market leaders, transport operators, and artisans on the agency’s renewed commitment to enforcing existing laws.

He said the meeting, themed “Promoting Safety and Serenity Through Traffic and Environmental Best Practices,” became necessary following the rising rate of urban misconduct across Lagos.

He lamented the losses the state has suffered due to the Okada menace, drug abuse, one-way driving, traffic indiscipline, and criminal activities, stressing that the government under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is determined to eradicate such threats.

He said, “The creation of a dedicated agency to manage these responsibilities is a bold and strategic move by the state government to reduce the human and material losses associated with criminality and lawlessness. As a state, we have lost so much to traffic violations, the menace of Okada on highways, drug abuse, miscreants, one-way driving, and other criminal activities.

“However, as a committed and responsive administration led by Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, we are leaving no stone unturned in our efforts to put an end to these problems. This is why we must all partner with the government, because no one knows where the next incident may occur or who the next victim may be.”

According to him, the Lagos State Environmental Reform Law of 2017 and the Transport Sector Reform Law of 2018 were enacted to ensure zero tolerance for Okada on highways, one-way driving, unlawful structures, shanties, street trading, and other activities that compromise safety and urban order.

The Task Force chairman, however, urged residents to actively support the agency’s ongoing enforcement efforts, while he emphasised community responsibility in reporting violations.

“I implore everyone here to support the government in making our communities safer. The expectations are simple: Speak out. Report wrongdoing. Report illegalities. Report your neighbours, friends, or even family members when necessary.

“We urge all stakeholders and community leaders to report cases of illegal developments, blackspots, drug addicts, street urchins, cultists, quacks, illegal ticket issuers, and miscreants within your areas, either by visiting the Agency Headquarters or by calling these numbers: 090137555111 or 090138555111,” he added.

Reacting to the stakeholders’ complaints on the effects of enforcement by the task force officials on their businesses, Akerele said the agency had, over time, carried out its operations with a human face.

He added that if the laws were followed to the letter, no one would be able to withstand living in the state.

The stakeholders who took turns to make robust contributions during the deliberation commended the efforts of the agency, while they also promised to inform their members of the outcome of the meeting.

The Secretary of the National Road Transport Workers, Olanrewaju Majekodunmi, said the union was doing all within its best to ensure sanity on Lagos roads.

He said, “We understand that the bus drivers can be difficult to handle, but we have been able to caution them and restore order on the roads. Our chairman has equally warned that branches where vehicles are being arrested by taskforce officials will be sanctioned.”

Speaking in the same vein, the market leader of Oshodi-Isolo, Sikirat Socopao, promised to sensitise business owners to the menace of roadside trading.

“We will continue to inform our members. It’s not easy to lead people with different characters, but we will not relent in sensitising them,” she stressed.

It is worth noting that Lagos has witnessed a surge in traffic violations, indiscriminate street trading, and the expansion of illegal settlements, issues that have put pressure on the state’s transport and environmental systems. (PUNCH)