The Lagos government has said it will issue arrest warrants and prosecute persons who permanently keep their street gates shut during and after the festive period.

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) general manager, Olalekan Bakare, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.

Mr Bakare said the government had warned landlords and various community development associations to comply with regulations, directing that all interlink roads should be accessible daily across the state.

He stated that not complying with directives on the closure of estate/street gates might lead to issuing warrants of arrest and prosecution of representatives of non-complying communities, where necessary.

Mr Bakare said those acting contrary to street gate regulations posed a great security threat to the government’s resolve to achieve a safe and secure environment.

“They are advised to desist from the unwholesome acts,” he said.

Mr Bakare said the policy on street gates was meant to enable easy access for residents and all road users in Lagos. He said denying motorists and pedestrians access through the various community gates before the stipulated time was unacceptable to the state government.

“Traffic Officers have been facing serious challenges in diverting motorists to alternative routes through nearby streets because these streets are gated,” stated Mr Bakare. “The illegal closure of these gates, some of which are feeder roads to connect highways, also contributes to the activities of criminally minded individuals who indulge in dispossessing residents of their belongings.”

The LASTMA boss added, “The street gate closure is thereby making it difficult for security agencies to come to the rescue of victims or apprehend the perpetrators. The act of partial or permanent closure of gates in violation of the regulations of the state affects businesses and encourages miscreants to take advantage of residents and get away with their belongings.”

The LASTMA chief noted that in case of a fire outbreak, the community affected “will not be easily accessible by the rescue teams.”

Mr Bakare said activities of the affected communities had further made free vehicular movement difficult in those restricted areas where roads leading to the closed gates were inaccessible to the motoring public. 

(NAN)