Today marks a significant milestone in our administration’s quest to rescue our fragile environment from avoidable impediments through a major clean-up exercise of the Victoria Island, Ikoyi and Lekki areas.
Over time, government has observed gross abuse of urban planning and environmental laws which have necessitated this action to clean-up our environment and restore it to its desired form.
Cases of abandoned properties have become very rampant with miscreants and criminal elements taking over these properties as their base to cause havoc. The neat road sides of the past now parade pockets of kiosks, illegal parking lots, unapproved mechanic workshops, roadside beer parlours and commercial centres. In addition, originally residential areas now have industrial and commercial concerns located there, distorting the balance of the environment.
These bad environmental practices, thriving in these prime areas, can no longer be tolerated and will be brought to an end immediately. These areas MUST regain their lost glory as this administration demands a return of environmental normalcy.
A safe, clean and prosperous Lagos is non-negotiable; that is the commitment of our administration. We will not allow this environmental infractions to continue. We cannot allow our beautiful environment to be destroyed by people who have no regard for beauty, serenity, law and order.
Today, we are inaugurating a Special Committee on the Clean-Up of Victoria Island, Ikoyi and Lekki axis.
This committee comprises of:
- Mr. Tunji Bello – Chairman.
- Dr. Babatunde Adejare
- Mr. Folarin Coker
- Engr. Ade Akinsanya
- Mrs. Yetunde Afusat Onabule
- Mr. Lateef Sholebo
- Mr. Segun Adeniji
- Assistant Commissioner of Police, Imohimi Edgal
- Mr. Adekunle Olayinka
- O/C Taskforce on Environmental and Special Offences Unit.
- The Sole Administrators of Iru/Victoria Island and Ikoyi Obalende Local Council Development Areas;
- Representative of Victoria Island and Ikoyi Residents’ Association (VIIRA);
- Chairmen of Community Development Councils (CDCs) for the two LCDAs.
The responsibilities of this Committee are:
- Immediately commence the implementation of the approved action plan and execution of the clean-up exercise.
- Develop strategies for preventing re-occurrences as well as other recommendations as necessary to sustain environmental renewal of these areas.
- Embark on a public sensitization exercise for the sustenance of a cleaner community in the axis.
I appeal to all stakeholders to give the committee the maximum support required for the success of this initiative and for the overall benefit of our dear state.
This government is determined to see all locations, schemes and estates in the State clean and safe. We will do everything possible to bring environmental sanity back to every part of our State. This is not a one-off exercise. The Victoria Island, Ikoyi and Lekki clean-up is the pilot scheme and this rescue operation has come to stay until we achieve the Lagos of our dreams.
Thank you.
Itesiwaju Ipinle Eko loje wa logun.