Markets: Ogun activates law enforcement against street trading, warns traders

*Engr. Rasak Ojetola, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Ogun State of Nigeria, has cautioned street traders against testing the will of the government by returning to the cleared, unapproved areas to sell but should move to the main markets with enough spaces for their business in Abeokuta, the state capital

Emmanuel Akosile | ConsumerConnect

The Ogun State Government has commenced massive enforcement of the earlier order to street traders across the state, who display their wares and products to vacate pedestrian walkways roadsides, under bridges and unauthorised open places in the streets.

The state government stated the measure followed the expiration of the three-day ultimatum the authorities had handed down to street traders across the state.

Consequently, the government warned the affected traders not to test its will in sacking them from the streets permanently.

Engr. Rasak Ojetola, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, said this when he led a Special Task Force, comprising the officials of the Ministry, Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE) and Ogun State Security Network, codenamed Amotekun, to carry out  enforcement in major markets in Abeokuta, the state capital, as well as Olomore, Kuto and Lafenwa among others.

Ojetola also stated that  the Special Task Force, during the operation, removed the tables, benches, bad wheel rims and tyres, torn umbrellas used by the traders in displaying their wares and products.

The Permanent Secretary noted that the team thereafter stationed environmental marshal in the claimed spaces to enforce the government’s order.

Ojetola, therefore, warned the street traders against testing the will of the government by going back to the cleared areas to sell but move to the main markets.

According to him, at the main markets in Abeokuta, there are enough spaces for them to do their training activities without let and hindrance.

Defaulters, he further stated, will face the full wrath of the Environmental Law 2004, which stipulates punishment on street trading in the state.

Ojetola disclosed the state government had also barricaded and would soon start the beautification of majority of the spaces recovered  during the enforcement.

The Permanent Secretary said the enforcement exercise would soon be extended to the other parts of the state, such as Ijebu Ode, Sagamu, Sango Ota, Ifo and Agbara among others to ensure total compliance with the provision of the Environmental Law 2004.

Also speaking on the development, Commander Seni Ogunyemi, Corps Commander of the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency, said the removal of the benches, tables and others used by the street traders to display their wares on the roads would free the needed spaces for free-flow of traffic and prevent road accidents on the roads as the spaces occupied by the street traders are original provided for vehicular activities.

Likewise, Acting Commander Olukayode Aina, Ogun State Security Network – Amotekun counterpart, assured the affected street traders would be well-protected when they are in government approved and traditional markets rather than in open places which exposed them to much insecurity.

Aina advised the traders to comply with the government directives on relocating to the government authorised markets for their own safety and well-being.