The Lagos State Government Wednesday, issued a seven-day ultimatum to interstate commercial vehicle operators to vacate Ikorodu Road.

The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Steve Ayorinde, disclosed this during the inspection of inter-state bus terminals on Ikorodu road.

He said that the governor, Akinwunmi Ambode toured the area on Tuesday night and was very displeased with the manner in which the inter- state transport operators were using the main town.

“We are, however, saying that henceforth, we will no longer allow inter-state buses to operate along Ikorodu Road; they will have to move to Ojota and Ojodu-Berger bus terminals designated for them by the state government.

“And there is a seven-day ultimatum for them to move, starting from today. It is for the benefit of the residents because their operations here are not decent and tidy.

“Take a look at the iron barricades mounted on our roads with taxpayers money, they are being destroyed by these bus operators. It goes to show how people abuse and disrespect the tax payers’ money, in spite of repeated warnings by the government.

“ We can no longer condone it and in the interest of the residents, what is decent, tidy and civilised is to move them to where they really belong, so that we can free the cities.

“You can see what we are doing with the state city plan, more bus terminals are springing up in Yaba, TBS, Ikeja and other areas. The whole essence is to protect the sanctity of the environment and the public, ‘’ Ayorinde said.

Also speaking to journalists, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transport, Anofi Elegushi said arrangements had been made for the relocation and quit notice served.

Mr Elegusi said the relocation was to better utilise the flyovers for better purposes, such as beautification and security.He said that the government had been meeting with the stakeholders and spaces provided at Ojota and Ojodu- Berger could accommodate the inter-state transport operators from the Ikorodu Road axis.

“The seven-day ultimatum is to allow them to organise themselves and come to us for allocation of spaces at the terminals and if by the end of seven days they refuse to comply, enforcement will commence.

“We urge the operators to cooperate with the government as the relocation will not affect their businesses or livelihood.

Omoleye Omoruyi

Omoleye Omoruyi… an apprentice web/game developer, novelist, sensitive to happenings in the world. Meet him @Lord_rickie on Twitter/Instagram