Ikoyi-Obalende LCDA Launches Street Marshals to Enforce Cleanliness

The Ikoyi-Obalende Local Council Development Area (LCDA) has unveiled a “Street Marshals” initiative aimed at promoting environmental cleanliness and public order within the community.

Announcing the programme on Monday via X, Jubril Gawat, Senior Special Assistant on New Media to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said the initiative was led by LCDA Chairman Bola Oladunjoye.

The statement outlined the marshals’ duties, which include:

Removing unauthorised structures from roads

Tackling illegal markets and trading

Preventing unauthorised use of public spaces

Reducing noise pollution from social and religious centres

Acting as information officers for the council

Gawat noted that the LCDA chairman urged the newly inaugurated marshals to be proactive, disciplined, and respectful, emphasizing that they represent the image of the council.

“The council has started with about 50 officers, with plans to increase the number to 100 over time,” Gawat added.

The initiative follows recent demolitions of several structures across Lagos State, including duplexes along Ikota River in Eti-Osa, buildings at Oworonshoki, and over 19 structures at the Trade Fair Complex in Ojo, carried out by the Lagos State Building Control Agency, Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority, and the Urban Renewal Agency. These actions have drawn criticism from affected residents.

Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, defended the demolitions, explaining that they target environmental violations and illegal developments, not legitimate homeowners. He stressed that the exercise is necessary to restore order and protect flood-prone areas.

“I don’t demolish; I remove contraventions — that’s what the law allows. For Ikota, structures encroached on the river alignment. Despite engagement, they ignored directives, so removal became necessary,” Wahab said.

The Street Marshals programme is part of ongoing efforts by the LCDA and Lagos State Government to ensure orderly, safe, and clean urban spaces.