Ogun begins clamp down on street traders, seizes goods on walkways

By Demilade Michael

A Special Task Force put in place by the Ogun State government on street trading, at the weekend began to clamp down on traders who are fond of displaying wares on walkways and roadsides in Abeokuta, the state capital.

It would be recalled that the task force had earlier given three-day ultimatum to street traders across the State to stop blocking walkways and roadsides.

Following the expiration of the ultimatum, it was observed that the traders refused to vacate pedestrian walkways, roadsides, under bridges and other unauthorized open places.

Consequently, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Engr. Rasak Ojetola, led thel task force on Saturday night to commence the enforcement of the regulation.

The task force comprised officials of the Ministry, the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE) and the Ogun Amotekun Corps.

The officials had carried out the enforcement exercise in major markets such as Olomore, Kuto, Lafenwa among others.

Ojetola said the task force, during the operation, removed tables, benches, bad wheel rims, tyres, and torn umbrellas used by the traders in displaying their wares and products, it thereafter stationed environmental marshals in the claimed spaces to enforce the order.

Ojetola noted that the order became necessary due to the dangers the traders exposed themselves to despite government several warnings to them to move to recognize markets, as well as other environmental infractions and nuisances they commit and poses to the society.

He said, “the state government cannot fold its hands and watch these small section of traders illegally converting half of motorable roads, walkways and lay backs in different parts of the states to markets on the excuse of quick sales”

“Aside from exposing themselves to avoidable vehicular mishaps, their activities also constitute environmental nuisance to the aesthetic beauty of the state through the shanties they construct and places on these spaces”.

He also accused them of illegally blocking drainage channels with their counters, planks and steel containers thereby exposing the state to avoidable flood which are punishable under the state environmental laws.

He warned the street traders against testing the will of the government by going back to the clear areas to sell, saying defaulters would be punished for street trading, in tandem with the Environmental Law 2004.

He informed that the enforcement exercise would soon be extended to Ijebu-Ode, Sagamu, Sango Ota, Ifo, Agbara and other places, in total compliance with the provision of the Environmental Law.

Also speaking, TRACE Commander, Seni Ogunyemi said the removal of the benches, tables and others used by the street traders to display their wares on the roads will free the needed spaces for free-flow of traffic and prevent road accidents on the roads.