The Ministry of Transportation has issued a comprehensive guideline for the installation of street gates. According to a Press Release signed by the state commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, it has “observed a surge in the installation of unauthorized gates, particularly in the Lekki axis.
“Many of these gates were erected without the necessary approvals from the Ministry, while some approved gates are being mismanaged as residents fail to adhere to the established guidelines for gated streets in Lagos State.
“This non-compliance poses significant challenges to traffic flow, emergency response access, and overall public safety”.
To this end, the government has issues the following guidelines-
i. All gates and barriers installed without prior authorization from the Lagos State Government are illegal and will be removed.
ii. Any unauthorized gate or barrier must be dismantled within seven (7) days of this announcement. Failure to comply will result in enforcement actions, including removal and penalties, in line with existing regulations.
For gates and barriers with prior approval, compliance with the following guidelines is mandatory:
i. Gates or barriers on public roads or streets must remain fully open for public use between 5:00 AM and 10:00 PM daily, to ensure interconnectivity and the free flow of traffic across the State.
ii. All approved gates or barriers must be manned by security personnel engaged by the Community Development Associations (CDAs). However, between 10:00 PM and 5:00 AM, these gates or barriers may remain closed but must be opened promptly in the event of an emergency to allow free access and exit for first responders.
The Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi urged all residents and CDAs to strictly comply with these guidelines to foster a safe, efficient, and connected transportation network across the State. Failure to adhere to these guidelines will incur punitive measures against non-compliant CDAs, including fines and further enforcement actions from the State Government.
