Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State has said that he will do everything necessary to ensure that environmental normalcy returns to the high-brow areas of Ikoyi, Lekki and Victoria Island areas of the state.
He said this at the inauguration of a special committee whose task it is to clean up these areas and ensure that the original master plans of these areas are adhered to.
“The neat road sides of the past now parade pockets of kiosks, illegal parking lots, unapproved mechanic workshops, roadside beer parlors and commercial centers. In addition, originally residential areas now have industrial and commercial concerns located there, distorting the balance of the environment.
“These bad environmental practices, thriving in these prime areas, can no longer be tolerated and will be brought to an end immediately. These areas must regain their lost glory as this administration demands a return of environmental normalcy,” Ambode said.
Immediately swinging into action, the committee has said it will commence its actions to first warn offenders as soon as the Sallah holidays were over. Although the original 14-day ultimatum would expire on September 11, the state government had reconsidered its decision to start the enforcement of the masterplan after Eid-el-Kabir, reports ThisDay.
The Chairman of the committee, who also doubles as the Secretary to the State Government, said that ‘all owners of illegal structures, owners of abandoned buildings and those who have converted walkways into trading points and food courts in the affected areas would take effect after Sallah.’
Parts of this article originally appeared in ThisDay Newspapers.