The Oyo State Government on Friday in Ibadan warned traders involved in roadside trading in the state’s capital city of Ibadan to desist or face sanctions.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Mrs Modupe Adeleye, while speaking during a sensitisation of market men and women, said the ministry would soon begin to enforce the directive.
“After this sensitisation, anyone found culpable will face the wrath of the law.”
She said by doing this government was not witch-hunting residents but trying to ensure a cleaner, hygienic and safer environment.
”We are aiming to have an environment which will be attractive to investors and protect lives and properties in the state,” the Permanent Secretary said.
Adeleye added that the state government was poised to finding a lasting solution to the menace of street or roadside trading, as well as indiscriminate dumping of refuse in the state.
“Roadside trading impedes free flow of traffic, and a task force set up by the ministry is resolute in taking an uncompromising posture in enforcing the roadside/street trading laws of Oyo State,” she said.
Adeleye then advised traders to adhere strictly to the environmental laws, saying the Gov. Seyi Makinde administration has a zero tolerance for roadside trading and indiscriminate dumping of refuse.
She pointed out that there was the need for effective collaborative efforts among government agencies and traders so as to curb the menace.
“Market leaders, transport union leaders and other relevant stakeholders need to caution their members to stop allowing people to trade by the road sides.
“Traders and residents must also align with the state government in its renewed efforts at curbing indiscriminate waste disposal.
“Government has put in place some major efforts, especially by engaging a waste management company, in tackling the menace of waste/refuse,” Adeleye said.
In his remarks, a market leader, Chief Yekin Abass, assured the state government that he and other market leaders would embark on aggressive sensitisation.
Abass, who was referred to as “the Babaloja-General of Oyo State, said the move would aim at prevailing on all traders to abide with government position on roadside/street trading.
On her part, the Iyaloja of Bodija International Market, Mrs Victoria Onipede, promised to monitor their members regularly to ensure they adhere strictly to the state’s environmental laws.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Permanent Secretary, other ministry management staff and representatives of relevant government agencies took the sensitisation to Bodija, Eleyele and Sango markets.(NAN)
