By Demi Adeniyi
The Lagos State Government has threatened to demolish all unauthorized gates sprouting in the state, particularly along the Lekki axis.
The government in a statement issued by the State’s Commissioner for Transportation, Mr Oluwaseun Osiyemi, the government will no longer condone the installation of unathorised gates, declaring such acts as illegal and inimical to the wellbeing of all residents of the state.
Many of these gates were erected without the necessary approvals from the Ministry, he said, while some approved gates are being mismanaged as residents fail to adhere to the established guidelines for gated streets in the state.
“This non-compliance, poses significant challenges to traffic flow, emergency response access, and overall public safety. As such, the Ministry is taking a firm stance to address this issue,” he said.
He directed all gates and barriers installed without prior authorization from the Lagos State Government be dismantled within seven days failure of which full enforcement, including removal and penalties, may be slammed on such communities in line with existing regulations.
For gates and barriers with prior approval, Osiyemi said compliance with the following guidelines is henceforth mandatory.
According to him, gates or barriers on public roads or streets must remain fully open for public use between 5:00 am and 10:00 pm daily, to ensure interconnectivity and ensure free flow traffic across the state.
“All approved gates or barriers must be manned by security personnel engaged by the Community Development Associations (CDAs). Between 10:00 pm and 5:00 am, these gates or barriers may remain closed but must be opened promptly in the event of an emergency to allow free access and exit for first responders.
Osiyemi urges all residents and CDAs to strictly comply with these guidelines to foster a safe, efficient, and connected transportation network across the State, adding that failure to strictly adhere to these guidelines will incur punitive measures, including fines and further enforcement actions from the State Government against non-compliant CDAs.
All residents in gated streets or areas with barriers are encouraged to ensure compliance with these regulations to maintain a safe and accessible transportation network across the State.