Lagos State Government yesterday gave a seven- day ultimatum to residents of gated streets to open the gates or barricades leading to major roads in the state, or it may be compelled to dismantle such gates and barricades after the expiration of the ultimatum.
Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Mr. Muslim Olohuntele Folami, who said this at a press conference, said the gated streets were currently doing more harm than good in the state.
“While some communities fortified their gates with all manners of objects, others have constructed theirs in such a way that they could only allow cars and not even buses to pass through.
“Recent trend has become worrisome as some residents erect gates with all sorts of objects.
“This is unacceptable where the residents fail to comply, government will pull down the gates and they have seven days to comply. ”
Also speaking, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s Special Assistant on Community Affairs, Mr. Tajudeen Quadri, flanked by Adviser to the governor on Communications and Community Affairs, Mr. Kehinde Bamigbetan, said recent trends on streets with gates have given cause for concern considering the many bottlenecks it created.
Quadri said the new directive is that the gates in the streets be opened from 5:00am and be closed by 12 midnight, saying the present administration in the state was determined to find solutions to the problems that make life difficult for the citizenry.
He said: “It should be noted that the former and present administrations in the state have committed enormous resources, skills, knowledge, materials and money to fighting crime.
“The unrelenting posture of this administration is no doubt, pushing these efforts further at various programmes such as equipping and motivating the rank and file of the state Police Command, lighting up of streets, road construction and rehabilitation, beautification of open spaces or environment which hitherto had served as hideouts for miscreants and societal misfits and opening hitherto inaccessible roads.”
“The effects of all these laudable achievements would, however be limited without the cooperation of the communities, especially in abiding with the directives of the government. As part of efforts to secure themselves and their property, Lagos residents, in the early 2005, resorted to constructing street gates and setting up barricades in their streets to ward off criminals and possibly unwanted guests that have nothing to do in their areas.
“This government therefore observes with caution that though the erection and closing of these gates may be desirable, the consequences on the overall urban efficiency, aesthetics and functionality of the city and especially traffic flow poses questions difficult to answer.”
Quadri noted that though the barricades are well intended but it constitutes obstructions to traffic, especially in areas, where such street gates or barricades are on roads meant to serve as thoroughfares or alternative link routes.
“Apart from the bottlenecks they created, they became hurdles that the police, fire engines and vehicles on emergency have to scale when carrying out their legitimate duties.
“Observing the effects of these structures on the people, the economy of the state, lives and property, Lagos State Government in 2009 then ordered that all gates or barricades leading to major roads in the state be should be locked between 12 mid—night and 5 am ,and any gate locked must be manned by security guards in case there is any need to go out to allow for free flow of vehicular movement, reduce traffic congestion and remove the difficulties ambulances and individuals faced taking sick people or pregnant women who are in’ labour to hospital at night.
“This directive was a welcomed one, as it saved motorists and commuters’ useful man-hours and unnecessary stress often suffered on the road.”
He lamented that as the years rolled by the directives seem to be abandoned, as the street gates are making a comeback, even on streets that never had them before.
He pointed out that some communities fortify their gates with all manners of objects, while others have constructed theirs in such a way that they could only allow cars and not even buses to pass through, urging the Community Development Council in the state to adhere strictly to the directive which must be disseminated to all CDAs for enforcement.
THE SUN
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