With the three-day ultimatum given to street traders across Ogun State state to vacate pedestrian walkways, roadsides, under bridges, and unauthorized open places, the State government has commenced massive enforcement of the order, with the call on the traders not to test the government’s will in getting them off the streets permanently.
Engineer Rasak Ojetola, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, stated this when he led a Special Task Force comprised of Ministry officials, Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE), and Ogun State Security Network codenamed Amotekun to carry out enforcement in major markets in the state capital city of Abeokuta such as Olomore, Kuto, and Lafenwa, among others.
Ojetola stated that during the operation, the Special Task Force removed the tables, benches, damaged wheel rims, tires, and shredded umbrellas used by traders to exhibit their wares and products and that environmental marshals were then stationed in the designated locations to execute the order.
Following that, the Permanent Secretary warned street traders not to put the government’s will to the test by returning to cleared areas to sell, but rather to move to the main markets, where there are enough spaces for them to do their training activities without hindrance, adding that defaulters will face the full wrath of the Environmental Law 2004, which stipulates punishment for street trading.
He went on to say that the state government has barricaded and will soon begin beautifying the majority of the spaces recovered during the enforcement and that the exercise will soon be extended to the entire state, including Ijebu Ode, Sagamu, Sango Ota, Ifo, and Agbara, among other places, to ensure total compliance with the provisions of the Environmental Law 2004.
In addition, the TRACE Corp Commander, Mr. Seni Ogunyemi, stated that removing the benches, tables, and other items used by street traders to display their wares on the roads will free up needed space for free-flowing traffic and prevent road accidents on the roads because the spaces occupied by the street traders were originally designed for vehicular activities.
Speaking on the development, Mr. Olukayode Aina, the Acting Commander of Amotekun, stated that traders will be better secured when they are in government-approved and traditional markets rather than in open spaces, where they are vulnerable to a variety of threats.
He recommended traders follow official orders and relocate to government-approved markets for their own safety and well-being.
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