The Special Adviser to the Governor on Central Business Districts, Mr. Olugbenga Olarenwaju Oyerinde, has condemned the increasing spate of attacks on its enforcement officers by hoodlums and miscreants operating within the Lagos Island Business Districts.
The Special Adviser stated this while reacting to the recent attack on enforcement officers along the Idumota Bridge to Iddo, Lagos Island, by commercial bus drivers in connivance with Okada riders and hoodlums over the weekend.
He said officers enforcing the “one-way traffic” rules of the Lagos State Government were attacked with dangerous weapons, leading to injuries and subsequent hospitalisation of the leader of the team, who sustained a deep cut on his head.
While reading the riot act to those in the habit of attacking government officials on lawful duties, he said that no amount of resistance and intimidation by miscreants parading as members of the National Union of Road Transporter Workers, “Omo Onile” and shop owners can make the State Government go back on its resolve to enforce traffic and environmental laws of the State.
Oyerinde, who described an attack on any of its staff as an attack on the State, said the government will not condone such despicable act and is determined to arrest and prosecute perpetrators in accordance with the laws of the State to serve as a deterrent to other members of the public.
In his words: “CBD as an agency of government was established to provide a stress-free and conducive business environment for the benefit of shoppers, traders and business owners, through efficient and effective traffic and environmental management. CBD shall remain focussed on carrying out these statutory responsibilities despite intimidation and assault on its personnel”.
“Let me dissuade the mind of motorists, especially commercial bus operators, traders and business owners, from seeing the agency as an enemy but a partner in progress to ensure a conducive business environment. They should ensure compliance with the traffic and environmental laws of Lagos State instead of continually assaulting our personnel. We will continue to apprehend traffic and environmental offenders within the business district”, the Special Adviser asserted.
Meanwhile, the Agency has commenced traffic and environmental compliance operations within the Lagos Island Business District, despite the vandalisation of its office by hoodlums, with the dislodgement of illegal parks created by commercial motorcycle riders (okada) within the business district.