The Lagos State Government and the Agege Local Government have commanded traders and beggars on rail tracks along the Agege corridor to leave before strict enforcement and demolition.
During a meeting on Sunday with illegal occupants, owners of shanties, traders, and beggars on the rail tracks, the government instructed them to leave the area immediately.
Afolabi Ayantayo, the Lagos State Commissioner for Establishments, Training and Pension, stated at the meeting that the occupants of the shanties should vacate the rail lines before enforcement begins.
“We have noticed various criminal activities along the rail corridor. The shanties are reportedly harboring criminals who attack 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 ruin the infrastructure. This is why we are educating and warning the people involved to leave the area before enforcement begins. I am urging the police to take this task seriously,” he said.
The commissioner also urged the community and market leaders to advise their residents and traders to avoid trading on the railway lines to prevent being arrested by a joint enforcement team to be set up soon.
While thanking the local government for organizing the meeting on behalf of the Lagos State Government, Ayantayo requested those concerned to follow the government's directive.
Mudashiru Obasa, the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, mentioned that he had been at the rail corridor to educate residents on proper sanitation and to avoid the rail track when trading.
Obasa, represented by a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly Representing Agege II Constituency, Jubril AbdulKareem, stated that the government would use full force to demolish the shanties after the stakeholders meeting.
“We need to understand why the government is carrying out this enforcement. It is for our safety and benefit.
The railway is for the benefit of the people, not for trading; and the bridges are not meant for begging or commercial purposes.
Earlier, the Chairman of Agege Local Government, Ganiyu Egunjobi, stated that enforcing accountability for people's actions would now be the government's priority at the railway line.
Egunjobi mentioned that community police would collaborate with the police to arrest the perpetrators.
“It’s important to emphasize sanitation and the value chain of dangers associated with street trading, improper refuse disposal, illegal structures open defecation, and other criminal activities along the corridor.
“Our main goal is to provide a healthy environment for everyone, protect the infrastructure and resources, and ensure security and dignity for the residents,” he said.
The council chairman added that the local government was dedicated to partnering with the state to enhance the aesthetic value of the environment by greening the railway corridors.
Responding, leaders in the market and community at the gathering expressed gratitude to the state and local government for the warning. They also mentioned that they would follow the new instruction.
The PUNCH reported in July 2023 that The Lagos State Task Force stated that it cleared rail tracks in the Agege area of the metropolis as part of its effort to bring order along the railway routes in the state.
In September, the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, gave traders who were selling goods on train tracks a two-day deadline to leave. He emphasized that those who disregard the warning will have their goods confiscated after the deadline.
It seems that the government's attempts to prevent the traders from occupying the rail tracks have not been successful.