Lagos Task Force Clarifies BRT Regulation Efforts

Mr Adetayo Akerele, Chairman of the Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Enforcement Unit, also known as Taskforce, has reaffirmed the unit's dedication to ensuring public safety, maintaining sanitation standards, and upholding traffic order in the state.

n

The Taskforce chairman made this statement during a quarterly media gathering at the unit's headquarters in Oshodi on Tuesday, where he also cautioned against the dissemination of false information by media outlets, emphasizing the importance of thorough verification before publication.

n

Akerele noted that some individuals and media organizations had mistakenly attributed the activities of other government agencies to the Taskforce, particularly with regards to enforcement efforts along the Bus Rapid Transit corridor.

n

He clarified that the rules governing the corridor are designed to benefit the broader population of Lagos, rather than the Taskforce or any other agency, and that the unit's interventions aim to ensure the safety, convenience, and peace of mind of Lagos residents.

n

Akerele addressed a recent controversy surrounding a video circulated by an online television platform, which purportedly showed Taskforce officials hijacking a vehicle and driving it on a one-way street, stating that an internal investigation revealed the video to be misleading.

n

The investigation found that the vehicle had been impounded for driving against traffic, and that the operatives had provided video evidence showing the driver attempting to escape, leading Akerele to suggest that the online television platform was attempting to exert undue influence over the agency for personal gain.

n

He emphasized the importance of journalists verifying facts carefully before posting content that could damage the reputation of the Taskforce, and also addressed public concerns regarding allegations of extortion by the unit.

n

Akerele stressed that the Taskforce operates within the bounds of the law, and that no individual's interests should take precedence over the unit's collective mandate.

n

The Taskforce chairman announced that the state would resume its monthly voluntary sanitation exercises in April, with the aim of improving public health, and assured that the Taskforce would be fully involved in the process.

n

Akerele called for constructive engagement from residents and the media, highlighting the need for collaboration in maintaining a safe, clean, and orderly Lagos.