Lagos State governor Babatunde Fashola, yesterday signed into law the bill restricting the use of public roads and setbacks for social, religious and commercial purposes.

Henceforth, any person who violates the law will pay a fine of N25,000. Fashola, while speaking at the occasion, stressed that the signing of the law had become imperative in order to check the menance.

He regretted that most Lagosians were fond of blocking access roads while organising social or religious functions, thereby impeding the flow of traffic and bringing untold hardship to others.

According to the governor, any person who organises social function or religious activity on the roads, setbacks and sidewalks shall, upon conviction, be liable to a fine of N25,000.

“Every person found at such events/functions or otherwise being a participant at such events and functions shall also pay a fine of N5,000” he said.

Fashola added that any person who obstructed law enforcement agents or any other person engaged in enforcing the law shall also be guilty and, on conviction, be liable to a fine of N10,000 or six months imprisonment.

He lamented that some people had locked up many roads due to the erection and closure of street gates, thereby eliminating bye-passes.

While urging Lagosians to obey the new law, he said that law enforcement agents had been directed to enforce it to the letter.

“Anyone found to have violated the provisions of the law will be made to face the full wrath of the law,'' Fashola warned.

He implored Lagosians to hold their social events or religious activities in halls and event centers in order not to subject the people to unnecessary inconvenience.