CITIZENS COMPASS —Lagos Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC) popularly known as KAI has explained what traspired in a viral video where its officials were captured parking vegetables (pepper) by the roadside.
KAI explains that the officials were on an official duty to Magodo area of the State to enforce environmental law by clearing roadside trading in the area.
In the video as monitored by Citizens Compass, LAGESC officials were captured loading traders’ commodities ranging from baskets of tomatoes, tubers of yam, balls of water melon and cucumber to mention but a few into their operational vehicles.
The officials voices were heard at the background dishing out instructions among themselves.
The said video was captured captured at about 1.54p.m..on Monday, September 25, 2023, at No 13, Adekunle Banjo Avenue, Ikosi-Isheri Local Council Development Area in Kosofe, Lagos.
However, a statement signed by Ajayi Lukman, Head, Public Affairs and Advocacy Unit of the Agency on Thursday, September 28, 2023, explained thus; “The attention of the Lagos Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC) popularly known as KAI has been drawn to a viral enforcement video making the rounds on various social media.
” As the premier environmental enforcement Agency domiciled with the Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, it is expedient to set the records straight, in light of the misinformation being peddled about the Agency on social media.
” The viral video depicting our officers conducting a raid of walkways, sidewalks, lay-bys around the Magodo area of the State is a lawful and sanctioned operation by the Agency which came on the backheels of a forwarded petition by the Magodo Residents Association seeking to rid the estate and its environs of illegal street trading.
“The Corps Marshal, CP Gbemisola Akinpelu (retd) signed off the operation after the Agency’s intelligence team investigated the huge trend of street trading along the axis in which the traders were found to be in grossly violation of State laws, thereby resulting in a enforcement operation undertaken on Tuesday, 26th of September, 2023.
“We must also State in clear terms that the mostly-perishable goods seized on site were confiscated and transmitted to Motherless Babies Homes on the same day with pictorial and documentary evidence to back up, as provided by the State’s environmental laws.
“Also, the Agency wishes to inform further that the State’s environmental laws provide for non-perishable goods confiscated during operations to be placed in secured storage till a court order is obtained for public auction which must be adequately publicised.
“The Corps Marshal reiterates her commitment to ridding the State of environmental nuisances as part of concerted efforts to make Lagos cleaner and habitable for business as enshrined in the T.H.E.M.E.S agenda of Mr. Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.”
