Lagos — "It is understandable that no one will prefer to live where his family will be vulnerable to crime. But then, do the gates really guarantee security? The answer is an emphatic no. The rate at which street gates are being erected within the metropolis in recent time has become very worrisome. These gated streets constitute in most cases serious obstacles to the efficient management of the built environment and in particular to vehicular and pedestrian movement along roads that are funded and maintained from tax payers' money," The was the lamentation of the Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola when he met with stakeholders early this year to deliberate on the way out of the ubiquitous street gates in the state. In fact, as at the time of the parley, the major roads in the state were witnessing terrible vehicular traffic due to the inability of vehicles to access adjoining streets which were most time under lock and key once the dusk set in.

In some areas, the street gates were locked as early as 7.00 p.m. and are only opened for identified residents. Yet, it is clear that anytime from 6.00 p.m. downward is a closing period when many workers would be on the roads struggling to get home in time. The locking of the gates of access streets around this period was thus a nightmare for motorists and a heavy burden on major roads.

Happily enough, at the end of the stakeholders' meeting, which comprised government officials, traditional rulers, members of Community Development Associations (CDAs) community and religious leaders, market men and women among others, an agreement was reached that all the gated streets across the state should be opened between 5.30 a.m. and 12.00 midnight. Since the current political space is not dominated by the military where 'with immediate effect" is the norm, the state government gave a grace of some weeks before the order would go into effect. The deadline soon expired but without any sign that Lagosians were prepared to shed their long entrenched mentality of living behind 'iron bar'. On Thursday March 5, the state government made it clear that full enforcement would commence in 24 hours time. The Chairman of Lagos State Environmental and Special Offence (Enforcement) Unit, Superintendent Bayo Sulaiman and the Senior Special Assistant to Fashola on Public Communication, Idowu Ajanaku, alerted the public about the government's intention through a joint press conference.

The duo lamented that Lagosians were becoming too recalcitrant as they would not comply with simple directive.

Sulaiman under whose office the enforcement of the directive falls warned that his men would cut down any gate that was closed before the stipulated time while Ajanaku explained that the government decided to tarry a bit before going to full action as reflection of the responsible governance being practiced under Fashola administration.

Despite the subtle threat, Lagosians remained adamant forcing the task force to bring down several gates in parts of the state.

However, there now seems to be a new understanding among Lagosians. Investigations across the state showed that almost all the communities are adhering to the rule. This much was also confirmed by Sulaiman on Wednesday during an interview with Daily Independent. The police officer said there is a high level of compliance. "There is high level of compliance. We have covered more than 90 percent of the State", he said even as he advised that the public could still send text message to his office to make complaints where it is discovered that people are floating the directive.

He however explained that there are few areas that are giving concession to close their gates earlier because of their peculiarity as crime prone-areas.

The task force chairman also reiterated that the law banning blocking of roads for social event is still in force and enjoined members of the public to alert the task force in time about such practice promising that his men would promptly move to the area and enforce the law. "We should be informed in time around 3 0r 4 o clock".

He maintained that the excuse normally given by the celebrants that they are permitted by the Local Government authorities is not tenable. "It is not true that local government will give permit to anybody to go and block the road", he asserted. Sulaiman therefore advised the general public not to float the law warning that culprits would be made to face the wrath of the law.

Commenting on the new development, Felix Ukpama, a resident of Apapa said it was a well-conceived idea but advised that adequate security should be put on ground by the police to protect the communities. According to him, the advent of gates stemmed from the insecurity in the country stressing that the good idea behind leaving the gate opened till 12.00 midnight would be defeated if there is no adequate security.

"I will advise that the police and other security agents should complement the work of the local vigilantes during that period", he said.

Ukpama's view found an ally in that of Folami Ayomide, who maintained that security patrol vehicles should always be on standby in the neighbourhood in case there is any alarm about criminals who might want to cash in on the policy to perpetrate evil.

He however advised Lagosians to shed the siege mentality and instead be ready always to give police necessary information that could aid in easily tracking down criminals before they wreck havoc on the community.

"If people cooperate well with police and the police is willing to do its work, we will not have to lock our gates and houses before 10.00 p.m.or even 12.00 p.m", he said..

In short, the level of the siege mentality in the state is best captured in the words of the state governor and the chief security officer, Fashola. "Everybody became prisoners or victims of fear with the introduction of barricades within and without the home. With time, residents moved from burglary bars, erection of fences, to gated compounds and streets. Estates have now graduated to multiple gates keeping, the only ones open manned by security guard while others remain permanently locked. Personal and community security now constitute the common bond between various neighbourhoods," he had noted during the stakeholders meeting in January.