… Set to enforce stringent measures
By Adeyinka Adeniran
Oyo state government on Thursday said it would implement stringent measures to curb the persistent menace of street trading in Ibadan and other parts of the state.
The Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Abdulmojeed Mogbonjubola, disclosed this during an enforcement drive in the state capital.
The Commissioner registered his displeasure over the recalcitrant attitude of a number of street traders towards the government directives at ensuring compliance to the State Environment Laws on street trading.
The Commissioner expressed his utmost displeasure over the illegal occupation of open spaces and roadsides, highlighting the likely dangers associated with it.
Mogbonjubola, who consistently monitors the trend, disclosed that street trading, which the present administration stands to eradicate, is a menace exposing the perpetrators to greater risk and dangers.
He expressed the government’s determination to address the persistent menace of street trading, emphasizing that it is necessary to preserve the roads that have become hotspots for unauthorized commercial activities.
He noted that despite numerous efforts and dialogues between government officials, market authorities, and traders, the issue has remained unabated.
According to the Commissioner, unauthorized traders often expose themselves to unwarranted environmental hazards, occuring from dynamic and changing atmospheric weather conditions, that lead to sickness and unhealthy living.
He reiterated that the state government is concerned about the welfare and healthy living of its citizenry.
“His Excellency, Engineer Seyi Makinde is determined to safeguard the lives and properties of his people, especially, those who ignorantly are not aware of the dangers embedded in trading near traffic, and busy roads”, he said.
He vowed to sustain the tempo of monitoring and enforcement towards attaining reasonable compliance.
He added that enforcement against street trading has been intensified in Egbeda, Akinyele, Lagelu, Ona Ara, Ibadan North, Ibadan North East, South East, South West, to mention a few, assuring that the campaign will get to all nooks and crannies of the state.
He further enjoined residents of the state to comply with the State Environment Laws and support the present administration to succeed in its ongoing campaign against street trading and filthy environment.
