BY Joseph Edegbo :
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Central Business Districts (CBD), Mr. Gbenga Olanrewaju Oyerinde, has embarked on public advocacy and sensitisation of traders, residents, visitors and business owners on street trading, illegal parking, dumping of waste on streets and drainages as well as non-compliance with all the safety guidelines put in place by the Lagos State Government to flatten the curve of COVID-19 pandemic.
During the event, Oyerinde spoke on the agenda of the government to ensure that stakeholders operating within the business districts align with policies put in place to aid the development of Central Business Districts in Y2022.
He said the commencement of the enlightenment programme at the beginning of the new year was to remind operators within the district of the rules and regulations, especially as business activities gradually pick up after the yuletide holidays.
In his words: “We noted that as the new year begins for business, there is a need to continually enlighten traders and visitors on safety issues, traffic and environmental laws infringement. Most traders are beginning to lose consciousness of the need to observe health guidelines instituted to curb the spread of COVID-19”.
“We have re-strategised, refocused and have printed enlightenment materials to educate visitors and traders within the Lagos Island and Ikeja CBD axis to ensure that everyone coming to the business districts for either business or visiting are sensitised on the need to keep the business district safe and clean at all times”, the Special Adviser noted.
While urging Lagosians to be safety conscious as they visit the business districts, Oyerinde said that the CBD enforcement unit and other government agencies are ready to ensure that safety, traffic, environmental and other security challenges associated with the high influx of shoppers and traders into the Island are well managed.
He, therefore, implored street traders using the walkways and kerbs to display their goods as well as motorists parking on bridges to desist from the illegal practice as the State will continue to impound vehicles and goods parked or displayed on walkways and kerbs.
