The Lagos State Government, in conjunction with the Agege Local Government, has issued an order for traders and beggars situated on rail tracks along the Agege corridor to evacuate the area before strict enforcement measures and demolitions take place.
During a stakeholders meeting held on Sunday, involving illegal occupants, owners of makeshift structures, traders, and individuals soliciting alms on the rail tracks, the government instructed them to immediately vacate the premises.
Afolabi Ayantayo, the Lagos State Commissioner for Establishments, Training, and Pension, emphasized during the meeting that the occupants of the makeshift structures must evacuate the rail lines before enforcement actions are initiated.
“It has come to our notice that various criminal activities are being carried out along the rail corridor. We learnt that the shanties are harbouring criminals attacking passers-by and residents at night.
“The government has invested a lot of money in the rail project and we don’t want anybody to sabotage and deface the infrastructure, that’s why we are educating and warning the people involved to vacate the area before enforcements begin. I am calling on the police to face this task seriously,” he said.
The commissioner also appealed to the community and market leaders to enlighten their residents and traders to shun trading on the railway lines to avoid being arrested by a joint enforcement team to be set up soon.
While appreciating the local government for organising the meeting on behalf of the Lagos State Government, Ayantayo begged those concerned to abide by the directive of the government.
The Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, recalled that he had been at the rail corridor to sensitise residents to proper sanitation and avoid the rail track when trading.
Obasa, who was represented by a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly Representing Agege II Constituency, Jubril AbdulKareem, said the government would come with full force to demolish the shanties after the stakeholders meeting.
“We need to understand the reason the government is doing this enforcement. It is for our safety and for our benefits.
“The railway is for the benefit of the people not for trading; and the bridges are not meant for begging or commercial purposes.
