The Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, has ordered the immediate clampdown on all illegal garages in the state.
The directive follows the governor’s efforts to reduce the rise in transportation costs due to the ongoing increase in petrol prices.
DAILY POST reports that the governor has also set up a task force to regulate and monitor the increase in transportation fares charged by drivers throughout the state.
Meanwhile, the State Task Force on Environmental Compliance and Enforcement, led by its Chairman, Farook Akintunde, has shut down two illegal garages at the NNPC junction and opposite the June 12 Cultural Center in Abeokuta for constituting environmental nuisances and operating illegally on roadsides.
Following this, Governor Abiodun, on Monday, commended the task force and ordered an extension of the exercise statewide, with a particular focus on a total clampdown on illegal garages, especially in the Mowe-Ibafo axis and Sango-Ota.
The governor noted that aside from these garages exploiting commuters, they constitute security risks to residents, as they serve as hideouts for criminals through the shanties and makeshift structures associated with them.
Abiodun said, “As a responsible government, we will not fold our hands and watch operators of these garages expose our people to unnecessary danger.”
“In addition, this is a crucial period when our people deserve all palliatives that will relieve them of the current economic realities in the country.”
Governor Abiodun advised residents of the state to use government-approved garages instead of illegal ones for their own safety and encouraged them to board the government CNG buses for their comfortable and affordable fares.