By Ranmilowo Ojalumo
The Lagos Ministry of Transportation has issued a warning signal to residents across the state against unauthorised installation of street gates and barriers, saying all gates and barriers installed without prior authorization from the Lagos State Government are illegal and will be removed.
In a statement issued on Monday and signed by the state commissioner of transport, Mr Oluwaseun Osiyemi, the state said has observed a surge in the installation of unauthorized gates, particularly in the Lekki axis, saying many of the gates were erected without the necessary approvals from the Ministry, while some approved gates are being mismanaged as residents fail to adhere to the established guidelines for gated streets in Lagos State.
According to the statement, the non-compliance poses significant challenges to traffic flow, emergency response access, and overall public safety, hence, the Ministry is taking a firm stance to address the issue and wishes to reiterate some guidelines in line with the Lagos State Government’s policy and regulations
The statement said “All gates and barriers installed without prior authorization from the Lagos State Government are illegal and will be removed. Any unauthorized gate or barrier must be dismantled within seven (7) days of this announcement. Failure to comply will result in enforcement actions, including removal and penalties, in line with existing regulations”.
For gates and barriers with prior approval, compliance with certain guidelines is mandatory, which are “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 the free flow of traffic across the State.
“All approved gates or barriers must be manned by security personnel engaged by the Community Development Associations (CDAs). However, 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 the guidelines to foster a safe, efficient, and connected transportation network across the State.
“Failure to adhere to these guidelines will incur punitive measures against non-compliant CDAs, including fines and further enforcement actions from the State Government”, Osiyemi said; adding that all residents in gated streets or areas with barriers are encouraged to ensure compliance with the regulations to maintain a safe and accessible transportation network across the State.
