Over 100 prosecuted for occupying Lagos road medians in one year — Commissioner

Lagos State has taken decisive action against the illegal occupation of road medians, prosecuting more than 100 individuals over the last year for violating environmental regulations. Tokunbo Wahab, the State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, announced this during an inspection of ongoing clearance operations along the Okokomaiko–Orile road median.

The current exercise aims to permanently remove illegal structures and commercial activities that obstruct the corridor, which has been designated for the Lagos Rail Mass Transit project. Wahab stated that years of engagement with traders had failed to yield lasting results, emphasizing the government's determination to reclaim the public space. "This is a major highway built with public funds. For years, we have repeatedly engaged those occupying the median and consistently pushed them back from the Okokomaiko end to Orile. Enough is enough," he asserted.

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This is a major highway built with public funds. For years, we have repeatedly engaged those occupying the median and consistently pushed them back from the Okokomaiko end to Orile. Enough is enough.

The commissioner explained that the wide road median was intentionally reserved for the rail project and stressed that the government would maintain vigilance to prevent displaced traders from returning. "We will continue to patrol this stretch and ensure that those dislodged do not return. This median has been reserved for the rail project, and it must be protected for that purpose," he added.

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We will continue to patrol this stretch and ensure that those dislodged do not return. This median has been reserved for the rail project, and it must be protected for that purpose.

Wahab also urged residents to practice proper waste disposal through designated Private Sector Participation (PSP) operators, rather than dumping refuse on roads and public spaces. He stressed that indiscriminate waste disposal reflects poorly on the populace and that there is no justification for such actions. Furthermore, he warned traders and market leaders to maintain clean markets, stating that environmental sanitation is a shared responsibility.

"If traders cannot keep their markets clean, then they should not be doing business there. Environmental cleanliness is a collective responsibility and must be taken seriously by everyone," Wahab concluded. The ministry's records indicate that over 100 offenders were prosecuted within the past year for encroaching on road medians and breaching environmental laws, which carry sanctions under the state's environmental legislation.

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If traders cannot keep their markets clean, then they should not be doing business there. Environmental cleanliness is a collective responsibility and must be taken seriously by everyone.