•Ban on tricycles wicked, say operators, others
Lagos State Government has advised those residing along the coastlines and low line areas to be ready to relocate when the intensity of the rains becomes severe.
The Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Tunji Bello, gave the warning at the weekend while monitoring the cleaning programme along Lagos Island, Mainland and Victoria Island axis executed by the drainage maintenance office and emergency flood abatement arms of his ministry during the rain.
Bello told those in the neighbourhood of Kuramo Beach, Alpha Beach, Okun Mapo, Owode Elede, Ikorodu, Badia, Ijora, Ajegunle and other low line areas to immediately leave their homes following the prediction of intense rain in the state this year.
According to the commissioner, the warning becomes necessary because of predictions by meteorologists that more rains are likely to be recorded this year.
Bello encouraged residents to relate effectively with the resident engineers and drainage maintenance officers whose phone numbers had been made public in the print and electronic media for members of the public to alert them in case of flooding challenges.
The urged residents not to panic whenever it rains because, according to him, what is usually experienced in the state is flash flood which will disappear as soon as the rain stops.
He added that the Ministry of the Environment had cleaned and dredged primary and secondary channels across the state in preparation for this year’s rains.
Bello explained that Lagos is a coastal state that is susceptible to flash flood anytime it rains.
He said: “On our path, we remain committed and focused, as our efforts will yield good dividends, at the end of this year’s rainy season.
“We also need support of Lagosians to join hands with the state government by ensuring that waste generated is properly disposed, as well as ensure they patronise LAWMA and accredited PSP Operators.”
Meanwhile, reactions have continued to trail the ban imposed on the operations of tricycle also known as Keke NAPEP or Keke Marwa on some major roads in the state.
The Commissioner for Transportation, Kayode Opeifa, had declared that the state would begin enforcement of Section 3 of the Lagos Traffic Law 2012 which restricts the operation of tricycles in Surulere, Ikeja, Ikoyi, Victoria Island, Obalende and other areas, saying law enforcement agents had been directed to begin full enforcement.
But some residents of Lagos, including operators of tricycle, have accused the state government of what “implementing policies without human face.”
They said the state government was insensitive to the plight of low-income earners and tricycle operators.
Those who spoke on the issue said the ban came when many commuters in the state were just trying to adjust to the ban on operations of commercial motorcycles.
They described the ban commercial tricycles as wicked.
Speaking with our correspondent, the Vice-Chairman of Koran Three Wheelers Unification, Mr. Muritala Lawal, said with the ban, in Surulere axis alone, over 5,000 people would be rendered jobless.
He said: “I have been receiving calls from our members, seeking to know what should be the next line of action because over 5,000 of them in my axis will be rendered jobless. But I pray the government would have a rethink and consider the economic implication of this.”
Also speaking on the issue, a resident, Mr. Kayode Ajenifuja, said the ban showed that the state government’s law was against those who did not have cars.
He said: “You stop the poor masses from patronising commercial motorcycles, Okada, now, the only alternative they have is being taken away from them. What should Lagosians do?
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