You are here: HomeNews2021 02 18Article 416434

General News of Thursday, 18 February 2021

Source: sunnewsonline.com

Ekiti govt bans roadside trading, relocates traders to approved markets

Ekiti traders Ekiti traders

Ekiti State Government has ordered roadside traders in Ado-Ekiti, the State capital, to relocate to approved markets.

In a statement made available to newsmen in Ado-Ekiti on Wednesday, the State Commissioner for Information and Values Orientation, Hon. Akin Omole explained that the directive was for the safety of the people from avoidable accidents improved hygiene in market places and to forestall the preventable outbreak of diseases.

He stressed that roadside trading is detrimental to the safety of both
sellers and buyers as well as constitute an environmental nuisance noted that the practice also works against the collective plans of the State for urban renewal and development.

He highlighted the disadvantages of roadside trading to include avoidable accidents with attendant loss of lives, unhygienic market environments with health hazards, unnecessary damage of roads, needless traffic congestion, unkempt view and increase in crime rate.

Omole stated that the order was given after due consultations and in agreement with the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejuyigbe, adding that government officials and a committee set up by the Ewi have been going round to sensitize all stakeholders on the need to relocate to new and existing markets within the metropolis.

The Commissioner, however, noted that the directive does not affect traders in approved shops and stalls.

According to him, Maize sellers currently selling on the roads around Oja Bisi are to move to Awedele market and Agric Olope, Yam sellers along Irona to also move to Awedele and Agric Olope while fufu sellers along Okesa market should immediately move to Ajowa market.

All wheelbarrow hawkers and used clothes sellers (Okrika) are to move to Agric Olope, New shoes sellers to Awedele market, livestock (Chickens, goats, pigs) to Adere market, soup ingredients to Awedele market, fruits sellers to Awedele and Agric Olope markets while new clothes sellers selling along Ado Streets should relocate to Awedele and Oja Agric Olope markets.

He, however, stressed that all occupiers of Atikankan must vacate the place and relocate to designated markets.

Stressing the commitment of the Fayemi-led administration to the development of the State and the welfare of the people, Omole warned that the directive would be strictly enforced without fear or favour warning that erring traders would be made to face the wrath of the law.

In his remarks, the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe said the decision to ban roadside trading is to forestall a repeat of the disaster that occurred in Iworoko community when the driver of a loaded trailer lost control and rammed into a market killing many people and destroying properties worth millions of Naira.

Oba Adejugbe urged residents of Ado- Ekiti to obey the directive in the
the interest of all stakeholders.