Joy Anyim
The Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC) has arrested and arraigned 36 persons for crossing major highways where bridges had been erected and for other environmental offences.
The arrests, according to the Corps Marshal of the Agency, CP Gbemisola Akinpelu (rtd), was part of the efforts at ensuring free flow of vehicular movement in the state, which is mostly hindered as a result of pedestrians crossing major highways where bridges are erected for usage.
She stated that LAGESC has stepped up its operation to arrest the defiant crossing the highway indiscriminately.
Akinpelu, who was speaking during the monthly interface session with senior officers of the Agency at its headquarters, at Bolade-Oshodi said, “The Agency is geared towards attaining total compliance on road crossing and use of pedestrian bridges in line with the mandate of the governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on the enforcement and prosecution of the offenders.
“The risks associated with crossing the highways where pedestrian bridges are constructed, impede free flow of traffic and unnecessary loss of lives as a result of ‘hit and run’ motorists.
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“The Agency is presently carrying out the total enforcement in some of the identified areas such as Ikeja Along, Ikorodu Road, Ojota, Berger, C.M.S amongst others, while a total number of 36 persons has been arrested for prosecution, and the exercise will continue and will extends to all part of the state.
“The distance from the pedestrian bridges where arrests can be made by LAGESC officers against erring pedestrians wishing to endanger their lives by crossing the highway is pegged at 200 metres.”
She stressed that the Lagos State Government was interested in ensuring that citizens do not endanger their lives by crossing highways, advising them to resort to the usage of pedestrian bridges, as she charged the LAGESC operatives to intensify efforts at deterring defaulters.
Akinpelu further explained that the Commissioner for Environment & Water Resources, Mr. Tunji Bello, has approved the establishment of additional Divisional Offices in the State towards ensuring adequate coverage of the state, noting that these Divisions will be strategically positioned towards achieving zero tolerance of all environmental and traffic offences in the state.
While emphasising to the Divisional Commanders, Deputy Divisional Commanders, Unit Commanders and Senior Officers on the need for increased, proper and adequate monitoring of the pedestrian bridges, she also emphasised on the need to dislodge traders around the bridges and walkways for free human movement.
