'How we chased area boys from Lagos'
Written by Kunle Awosiyan
Tuesday, June 29, 2010

A detailed account of how the Lagos State government was able to dislodge hoodlums, popularly known as "area boys," around the metropolis within two years has been revealed.





http://odili.net/news/source/2010/jun/29/619.html

The Special Adviser to the state governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), on Central Business Districts, Mr. Oyinlomo Danmole, said at a news conference, on Monday, that the government deliberately involved the miscreants in its developmental project to rid the state of nefarious activities.

It will be recalled that the Lagos Island business district was notorious for street urchins, high human and traffic gridlock, filth and all sorts of impediments to smooth business transactions.

According to Danmole, the present administration engaged some of the hoodlums in the building of new markets at Oluwole, while those who refused to comply with the state environmental laws were chased away.

He said: "In tandem with the mission of transforming the state to a model mega city, the government established the CBD Traffic and Sanitation Corps, which enforces the environmental and special offences on the Island."

On how it eradicated human and vehicular traffics at the CBD, Danmole said that the government ensured that it decongested Carter Bridge by chasing away streets urchins and traders.