The District autonome du Grand Lomé (DAGL) has initiated the second phase of its operation to combat anarchic occupations of public domain. The operation, which runs from November 2 to 20, focuses on clearing sidewalks and areas along major paved and bitumen roads in the capital, Lomé. This effort aims to allow pedestrians to walk safely, facilitate vehicle circulation, and beautify the city to attract investors and tourists.
The operation was announced during a press conference held on November 4 in Lomé, chaired by the Governor of DAGL and President of the ad hoc committee to fight against anarchic occupations of public domain, Mme Zouréhatou Kassah-Traoré. She explained that the disorganized occupation of public space leads to several difficulties, including accidents, sanitation issues, degradation of the city's aesthetics, and unfair competition to formal commerce.
Mme Kassah-Traoré emphasized that the clearance operation prioritizes protecting vulnerable users, such as children, elderly, and people with reduced mobility. She stated that returning sidewalks to pedestrians is a matter of saving lives and urged populations to make the concerned axes accessible and orderly. However, she clarified that the operation does not aim to penalize street vending, which is a source of income for many households.
The Governor acknowledged that existing markets do not have sufficient capacity to accommodate all traders, considering the demographic growth. To address this, the DAGL has adopted a decentralized approach to implement the operation. The DAGL is responsible for overall coordination, while the 13 communes of Grand Lomé are in charge of executing operations on the ground.
Each commune has developed its own roadmap through a participatory process involving prefects, technical services, canton chiefs, and presidents of the Base Development Committees (CDB). The prefects of Golfe and Agoè-Nyivé are directly supervising the operations, and mayors are taking necessary arrangements for the smooth execution of the operation.
The ad hoc committee, responsible for inter-ministerial steering, comprises representatives from several ministerial departments and prefectural authorities. Its intervention area covers the entire Grand Lomé and neighboring communes along the coastal portion concerned. Journalists and digital content creators have been invited to disseminate accurate information about the operation to sensitize populations and facilitate its success.
The operation seeks to strike a balance between maintaining public order and supporting the socio-economic activities of local populations. By clearing sidewalks and public areas, the DAGL aims to promote a safer and more organized urban environment, which will benefit both residents and visitors. The success of this initiative will depend on the collaboration and understanding of all stakeholders involved.
Key points
- The operation will run from November 2 to 20.
- The initiative aims to improve road safety and urban aesthetics.
- The DAGL has adopted a decentralized approach to implement the operation.
