The Office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Central Business Districts (CBD), Mr. Gbenga Olarenwaju Oyerinde, on Wednesday, embarked on public advocacy and sensitisation of traders and visitors against indulging in street trading, parking in unauthorised places, dumping of waste in drainages as well as observing all the guidelines put in place by the Lagos State Government to flatten the curve of COVID-19.
The Special Adviser, who led the advocacy team, said the initiative was part of measures to ensure that all stakeholders operating within the business districts are conversant with the State government’s policies as they relate to the development of the Central Business Districts.
He said the commencement of the enlightenment programme was in view of the large volume of visitors coming into the Island CBD, especially as the State gradually unlocks the economy and the attendant security, sanitation and traffic challenges.
“We noted that as the economy reopens for business, there is the need to continually enlighten traders and visitors against health, traffic and environmental laws infringement. Most traders are beginning to lose consciousness of the need to obey stipulated health guidelines against the spread of Coronavirus”, he said.
Oyerinde continued by saying, “We have printed enlightenment materials to further educate visitors and traders within the CBD zone especially for those visiting Balogun, UBA/Tinubu, Ereko/Martins, Alli Balogun and Nnamdi Azikiwe Streets; Outer and Inner Marina as well as Idumota axis, in order to ensure that everyone coming to the Island on daily basis for business and private visits are sensitised on the need to keep the business district safe and clean”.
While urging Lagosians to be safety conscious as they come to the Lagos Island business district for business, the Special Adviser affirmed that CBD enforcement unit and other government agencies are ready to ensure that health, traffic, environmental and other security challenges associated with the high influx of shoppers and traders into the Island is curtailed and well managed.
He warned street traders using the walkways and kerbs to display their goods, just as he urged motorists parking on bridges to desist from the practice to avoid impoundment of their goods and vehicles.
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