Remove unapproved street gates within seven days, Lagos warns communities

By Emmanuel Awosika

The Lagos State Government has ordered communities with unapproved street gates to allow access between 5am and midnight or remove them.

Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Frederic Oladeinde, said such gates flouted state regulations on traffic and must be removed within seven days.

“During the recent inspection conducted by the Ministry of Transportation, it was discovered that some communities have sited gates on some inner roads to avoid vehicular movement on their streets. This act has contributed to traffic congestion being experienced on our roads on a daily basis,’’ he explained.

Although street gates are to be left open during the day, security operatives hired by the community must be available to guard the gate, Oladeinde said.

He also noted that it was necessary to permit access to emergency services such as the police, ambulance and fire service.

The Lagos State Government has established a committee to oversee the removal of street gates that do not comply with government laws.

Oladeinde urged communities who had obtained approval for their gates to present proof, otherwise they risked removal of the gates.