Two markets on Lagos Island shut

The Lagos State Government has shut some markets in the Island Business District over noncompliance with environmental laws of the State.
The seal up exercise was conducted by the enforcement unit of the Lagos Central Business District management office.
This came at the expiration of the deadline issued by the Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Central Business District, Prince Olanrewaju Elegushi, to marketers and street traders within the area to open up blocked access roads and remove shanties, make shift shops built on walkways, roads and streets.
Some of the markets shut by the agency are Berlin Street in the Marina axis for flouting the beautification and design of the market, and Gbajumo Market beside Breadfruit for erecting and extending their shops to the roads, thereby making the roads inaccessible to vehicular traffic.
Speaking during the exercise, Elegushi noted that the Lagos State Government forbade anybody from converting the roads, setback, walkways and entire street to markets and parking lot.
“This illegality cannot continue, we shall continue to open and clean up streets and roads that have been converted to markets. We will no longer tolerate shanties and extension of shops into the roads,” the Special Adviser said
He said there have been situations whereby ambulances, fire fighters and police were prevented from getting to emergency scenes on time due to blocked street by traders.
Elegushi said: “Traders, especially those selling on the streets and walkways, had been warned to remove their extensions and makeshift shops from the roads.
“The sealing of the markets was a fallout from the warning earlier issued.
“Some of the streets, especially Gbajumo Street, had been taken over and blocked by traders.
“In emergency cases, how can there be rescue operation?”
Similarly the Special Adviser disclosed that other markets that have extended their shops into the roads and walkways, thereby making the street and road inaccessible by vehicles will be shut down.
The cleanup exercise, according to the Special Adviser, will be a continuous one to restore the aesthetic value and beauty of the Island Business District.