•Dislodges unlawful squatters, criminals beneath Apapa, Ijora bridges
•Uncovers unlawful diesel dump web site
By Olasunkanmi Akoni
The Lagos State Authorities, by way of the Lagos State Visitors Administration Authority (LASTMA), has formally launched a 24-hour operational framework to boost visitors administration and enforcement throughout the metropolis.
Reaffirming the federal government’s dedication to city order, public security, and infrastructure renewal, Particular Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Sola Giwa, said that the initiative will rework visitors governance and restore environmental integrity all through Lagos.
Talking on the launch on Thursday, Giwa emphasised that the brand new framework will guarantee seamless mobility and secure commuting across the clock, aligning with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s imaginative and prescient for an environment friendly and constantly working metropolis.
“This initiative displays the governor’s strategic ambition to ensure the uninterrupted motion of individuals, items, and providers in Nigeria’s financial hub—free from congestion and dysfunction,” Giwa mentioned.
He added that the 24-hour regime demonstrates the administration’s dedication to vigilance, operational effectivity, and disciplined visitors regulation, significantly because the festive season approaches, bringing elevated vehicular and industrial exercise.
The framework is designed to allow steady monitoring, speedy emergency response, and swift clearance of visitors obstructions, thereby lowering congestion and bettering the commuting expertise.
A key characteristic of the initiative is the creation of the Evening Speedy Response Gang—a specialised LASTMA unit tasked with addressing nighttime visitors incidents corresponding to car breakdowns, collisions, and different obstructions on main roads.
As a part of the broader reforms, the state authorities carried out a clearance operation alongside Apapa Highway, Costain, and the Ijora Beneath Bridge. Unlawful constructions and shanties have been demolished, and squatters dislodged to revive free visitors move and enhance public security.
The enforcement train, led by Giwa in collaboration with LASTMA, the Nigeria Police Drive, Cell Police (MOPOL), the Lagos State Activity Drive, and the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC), resulted within the elimination of unauthorized merchants, makeshift shelters, and numerous environmental violations.
Throughout the operation, officers uncovered an unlawful diesel dumping web site and impounded giant portions of expired plantain chips and cheese balls saved in unsanitary circumstances—highlighting the federal government’s dedication to public well being and environmental safety.
The train adopted repeated warnings and public consciousness campaigns urging unlawful occupants to vacate bridge areas. Groups additionally cleared blocked drainage channels full of metallic particles, which had contributed to flooding and environmental degradation.
A number of industrial buses and tricycles working unlawfully alongside the newly constructed Costain Bridge and Apapa Highway have been additionally impounded. Shanties close to St. Catholic Church College on Apapa Highway have been demolished, restoring the world to its supposed city and academic use. Prison hideouts beneath the Ijora Bridge have been dismantled to boost safety.
Giwa reaffirmed the Sanwo-Olu administration’s unwavering dedication to public security, environmental safety, and the rule of regulation, stating, “Lagos should stay a metropolis outlined by construction, order, and self-discipline.”
LASTMA Basic Supervisor, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, urged merchants, transport operators, and commuters to adjust to authorities directives, use designated markets and parking areas, and help efforts to take care of a secure and orderly metropolis.
The submit Visitors Free Move: Lagos launches 24-hour operations, inaugurates night time response staff appeared first on Vanguard Information.
