The Ogun State Government has announced plans to relocate an illegal motor park and stop street trading around the Sango Tollgate as part of efforts to curb the frequent road accidents recorded at the busy border area between Ogun State and Lagos State.
The state Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, disclosed this during an inspection of the area alongside officials of the Ministry of Environment, the Ogun State Waste Management Authority, and the Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government.
The visit was conducted to find a lasting solution to the recurring accidents around the tollgate.
Report stated that Oresanya explained that the decision followed an order from the state governor, Dapo Abiodun, who expressed concern over the repeated loss of lives at the location.
“I have the directive of the state governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, who is worried and concerned about the incessant loss of lives, to investigate and find a lasting solution to the unfortunate and avoidable accidents at this tollgate,” he said.
The commissioner stated that after assessing the situation with government officials and other stakeholders, the state resolved to move the illegal motor park and remove street trading activities that have existed around the tollgate for over two decades.
“After careful review of the situation on the ground with other government officials and stakeholders, the state government has decided to relocate the illegal motor park and eradicate street trading that has been in existence at the tollgate for the past twenty-five years to more recognised and better organised places far away from the area,” Oresanya said.
He noted that the operations of interstate buses and traders in the area have contributed to traffic congestion and increased the chances of accidents along the busy route.
To stop buses and traders from returning after the relocation, Oresanya revealed that enforcement measures would be introduced in partnership with local authorities.
“To prevent interstate buses and street traders from going back to the spot, the state government, in conjunction with the local government, will construct barricades on both sides of the tollgate area,” he added.
Oresanya also said officials of the Ogun State Waste Management Authority would conduct a full clean-up of the location, while environmental marshals from the Ministry of Environment and officials of Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government would monitor the area to ensure the directive is obeyed.
According to him, the relocation and enforcement exercise is expected to begin within the next few days as part of measures aimed at restoring order and improving safety along the Sango Tollgate corridor.
Report stated that Governor Abiodun had earlier criticised the reckless driving behaviour of some truck drivers operating along the Sango–Ota corridor following a fatal crash near the Ota Toll Gate that claimed seven lives.
