More than 100 individuals face charges for taking over highway center strips in Lagos within the past 12 months, according to the Commissioner.

The Lagos State Government has revealed that over 100 individuals have been prosecuted in the past year for unlawfully occupying road medians and breaching environmental regulations, according to the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab.

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Wahab made this disclosure on Wednesday during an inspection of the ongoing clearance of illegal traders and squatters from the Okokomaiko–Orile road median, an exercise aimed at permanently clearing the corridor designated for the Lagos Rail Mass Transit project.

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The state government's initiative, as announced on its official social media handles, seeks to remove all obstacles and commercial activities from the road median, following Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s directive to do so.

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Wahab's inspection was intended to assess compliance with the governor's directive, which came after years of engagement with traders failed to yield lasting results, prompting the need for more decisive action.

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The commissioner emphasized that the highway, built with public funds, has been repeatedly encroached upon, and the government has decided to take a firm stance, stating "Enough is enough" and vowing to keep the corridor free from all forms of encroachment.

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Wahab explained that the road median was intentionally reserved for the Lagos Rail Mass Transit project, and the government would continue to monitor the area to prevent displaced traders from returning and encroaching on the reserved space.

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The commissioner stated that the government would maintain a vigilant presence, patrolling the stretch to prevent the return of displaced traders, and underscored the importance of protecting the median for the rail project.

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Regarding environmental sanitation, Wahab urged residents to properly dispose of waste through their designated Private Sector Participation waste operators, rather than dumping refuse on roads and public spaces.

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He cautioned that indiscriminate waste disposal reflects poorly on the community and encouraged residents to report any service delivery failures to LAWMA, emphasizing that there is no justification for such reckless behavior.

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Wahab also warned traders and market leaders to maintain clean markets, emphasizing that environmental sanitation is a shared responsibility and must be taken seriously by all parties involved.

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The commissioner reiterated that traders who cannot keep their markets clean should not be in business, highlighting the collective responsibility of maintaining environmental cleanliness.

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Within the last year, the ministry has prosecuted over 100 offenders for encroaching on road medians and violating environmental regulations, according to Wahab.

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The commissioner noted that the state's environmental laws provide sanctions for actions that undermine public infrastructure and environmental sustainability, and enforcement would continue without fear or favour, as the government remains committed to protecting critical infrastructure.

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Wahab reaffirmed the government's commitment to preserving the alignment for the Lagos Rail Mass Transit project and improving environmental sanitation across the state, underscoring the importance of these initiatives for the community's well-being.