Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources officials have began the process of removing permanently closed inner gates in the Lekki area on Saturday.
The government cited the “indiscriminate mounting and proliferation of gates” as reasons for this action, stating that it marred the aesthetic appeal of the environment.
According to a statement and photos posted on X on Saturday by the ministry’s spokesperson, Kunle Adeshina, this operation was in order to “rescue several residents of the state, especially in the Lekki 1 axis, who are suffering untold hardship of inaccessibility by removing permanently closed inner roads gates.”
Adeshina wrote, “The enforcement operation which was authorized by Mr Governor followed several days of traffic snarl which residents connecting Lekki were experiencing due to the inaccessibility of connecting roads.
“Roads and streets already enforced since the operation started include Sir Rufus Foluso Giwa, Theopilus Oji, Osaro Isokpan, Abike Sulaiman, Ben Okagbue MBA, Olubunmi Rotimi, Olanrewaju Ninalowo, Dele Adedeji, Abayomi Sonuga, Siji Soetan, and Rasheed Alaba Williams.”
Adeshina elaborated that Tokunbo Wahab, the Commissioner for Lagos State’s Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, urged resident associations with permanently locked inner gates within their estates or communities to voluntarily remove them.
He emphasized that the state aims to restore the defaced aesthetics caused by these gates by removing them across the region.
According to The PUNCH, the Lagos State Government has mandated the opening of street gates in Lekki phase I, II, and surrounding areas from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily during the yuletide season.
This measure aims to facilitate smoother vehicle movement and reduce potential traffic congestion resulting from holiday activities in the area.
The report also underscores the importance of strict compliance, warning that failure to adhere to this directive will result in sanctions imposed by the state.
