Ogun govt. moves against illegal motor garages

The Ogun government  has ordered  an immediate clampdown on all illegal motor garages in the state.

The directive came after a State Task Force Environmental Compliance and Enforcement Exercise, led by the Chairman, Alhaji Farook Akintunde,  resulted in the  shutdown of two illegal garages in Abeokuta.

Akintunde noted that the garages constituted environmental  nuisance, operating illegally on roadsides.

He said that their operations were not only illegal, but used to exploit commuters, drivers and other good people of the state through exorbitant charges and unexplained levies.

The chairman noted that the state government was doing everything possible to bring down transportation fares across the state.

He said that the exercise would be extended statewide, with total clampdown on illegal garages, especially in the Mowe-Ibafo axis and Sango-Ota.

Akintunde said that  the garages, beyond exploiting commuters, constituted security risks to residents of the state.

He said that they served as criminal hideouts through the shanties and makeshift structures associated with them.

“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 reality in the country,” he said.

He called on residents  to stop patronising  illegal garages, for their safety, and commute through government recognised ones.