Street Trading :Ogun Govt Descends Heavily On Violators

 

Ogun State Government has commenced massive enforcement of its order against street traders across the state who display their wares and products on the pedestrian walkways roadsides,under bridges and unauthorized open places in ,the state

The State Government had earlier issued three days ultimate to the traders to remove their wares and products on  the pedestrian walkways roadsides

Permanent secretary, Ministry of Environment, Engr Rasak Ojetola led a Special Task Force, including officials of the Ministry, Ogun state Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency TRACE and Ogun state Security Network codenamed Amotekun to carry out the enforcement in major markets in the state capital city of Abeokuta such as Olomore ,Kuto,Lafenwa among others. 

Ojetola said 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 and thereafter stationed environmental marshal in the claimed spaces to enforces the order.

Ojetola therefore warned the street traders against testing the will of the government by going back to the clear areas to sell but move to the main markets where there are enough spaces for them to do their trading activities without let and hindrance 

He added defaulters would face the full wrath of the Environmental Law 2004 which stipulates punishment on street trading. 

He added that the State Government had barricaded and would soon start the beautification of majority of the  spaces recovered  during the enforcement, saying that the enforcement exercise will soon be extended to the utter parts of the state such as Ijebu Ode, Sagamu, Sango Ota, Ifo, Agbara among others to ensure total compliance with the provision of the Environmental Law 2004.

Also speaking, the Corp Commander of the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency 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 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. 

For his Ogun State Security Network- Amotekun counterpart ,Acting Commander Olukayode Aina, said the traders would be well protected when they are in government approved and traditional markets rather than in open places which exposed them to lots of insecurity, advising them to comply with government directives of moving to government authorized markets for their own safety and well-being.