Lagos orders transporters to vacate Ikorodu road

The Lagos State Government on Wednesday issued a seven-day ultimatum to inter-state transport operators to vacate Ikorodu Road.

Mr Steve Ayorinde, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, disclosed this during the inspection of inter-state bus terminals on Ikorodu road.

He said that Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode toured the area on Tuesday night and was very displeased with the manner in which the inter- state transport operators were using the main town.

“We are, however, saying that henceforth, we will no longer allow inter-state buses to operate along Ikorodu Road; they will have to move to Ojota and Ojodu-Berger bus terminals designated for them by the state government.

“And there is a seven-day ultimatum for them to move, starting from today. It is for the benefit of the residents because their operations here are not decent and tidy.

“Take a look at the iron barricades mounted on our roads with tax-payers money, they are being destroyed by these bus operators. It goes to show how people abuse and disrespect the tax payers’ money, in spite of repeated warnings by government.

“ We can no longer condone it and in the interest of the residents, what is decent, tidy and civilised is to move them to where they really belong, so that we can free the cities.

“You can see what we are doing with the state city plan, more bus terminals are springing up in Yaba, TBS, Ikeja and other areas. The whole essence is to protect the sanctity of the environment and the public, ‘’ Ayorinde said.
Also speaking to journalists, Mr Anofi Elegushi, Special Adviser to the Governor on Transport, said that arrangements had been made for the relocation and quit notice served.

Elegusi said the relocation was to better utilise the flyovers for better purposes, such as beautification and security.
He said that the government had been meeting with the stakeholders and spaces provided at Ojota and Ojodu- Berger could accommodate the inter-state transport operators from the Ikorodu Road axis.

“The seven-day ultimatum is to allow them to organise themselves and come to us for allocation of spaces at the terminals and if by the end of seven days they refuse to comply, enforcement will commence.

“We urge the operators to cooperate with government as the relocation will not affect their businesses or livelihood.

Mrs Bilkiss Adebiyi-Abiola, General Manager, Lagos Parks and Gardens, said there was a beautification plan to the government’s city plan.

Adebiyi- Abiola said that the agency had started working on the designs for the beautification of the reclaimed flyovers at Ikorodu Road, Mile-2, Festac and Lagos Island.

According to her, the agency will be starting with these areas and later extend to other areas of the state.
“This fits into the general Greener Lagos Initiative – we are going to introduce greenery, trees and plants that will help the environment and add value to the health of residents,’’ she added.