“LAGOS COMMITTED TO THE RESTORATION OF AESTHETIC VALUE” – CBD BOSS

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Central Business District, Prince Olarenwaju Anofiu Elegushi has said that the Lagos State Government is committed to the full restoration of the beauty and master plan of the Lagos Island Business District.

Elegushi made this known while monitoring the removal and dislodgment of illegal structures and shanties built around the mini-campus, Ajele Street on Lagos Island over the weekend.

He said the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode led administration’s strategic efforts to transform the entire Lagos Island axis to a world-class business and tourism hub will not be derailed by the activities of street hawkers, mechanics and miscreants.

“The Lagos State Government has observed with dismay the gross abuse of environmental laws and urban planning by the roadside food sellers, automobile engineers, mechanics and street traders on the Island. The environmental abuse can no longer be tolerated which necessitated the decision to check the illegalities”, the Special Adviser said.

He reiterated that the State Government’s directive to street traders selling and displaying their wares along the roadsides, walkways, and under bridges as well as mechanics, religious bodies and food sellers operating in unauthorized places within the Lagos Island Business District is still in force.

While maintaining that no amount of resistance and intimidation by miscreants could make the government rescind its resolve to clean up the entire Lagos Island Business District, Elegushi vowed to bring environmental sanity to every nook and cranny of the business district.

He said, “We seek total compliance with the directive given to religious bodies, mechanics, street traders, miscreants, operating on walkways and unauthorized areas to vacate immediately. We cannot allow you to constitute an environmental nuisance and distort the master plan of the business district”.

He said the demolition and removal of shanties around the mini-campus, Ajele Street will be sustained and monitored henceforth.

The Special Adviser also said the demolition and removal of shanties in other areas directed by the Governor was already in progress, reiterating the need for all residents and business operators to assist in sustaining the gains of the exercise while the government continues with its advocacy