On the 4th of January this year, the governor of Oyo State, Engineer Seyi Makinde prohibited roadside trading with seven days ultimatum issued to affected traders in some areas of Ibadan.
The environmental policy was meant to put an end to the hazards associated with the act.
Some of the areas affected according to Oyo State Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Dr Abdulateef Oyeleke, included Molete, Challenge, Ring-Road, Beere, Oje, Ojaaba and Iwo Road.
An assessment tour of some locations revealed that the traders had vacated the road in some parts of Challenge.
The story was different in Oje, Ojaaba and Dugbe markets as some traders still displayed their commodities on the roadside.
Radio Nigeria microphone caught up with the executives of Oje Market where street campaigns were undertaken to warn traders on the dangers of continued roadside trading.
Some of traders, who spoke on the new directive, said the policy was meant to protect them from unexpected hazards, but blamed their action on lack of shops.
The traders said leaving the roadside would affect their economic and profit making drive.
Speaking on behalf of the executives of Oje Market, the Assistant General Secretary, Oje Traders Association, Alhaji Dauda Abdulrahman and Babaloja Molete, Mr Wahab Bolarinwa, said regular mobilization and sensitization were being done to ensure total compliance.
The association also implored the state government to empower them to enforce the law to realise desired results.
In an interview, the Oyo State Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Dr Abdulateef Oyeleke said there was no going back on the directive.
He however said that any trader found violating the new development would face the wrath of law.
Akinola/Famakin
pub-5160901092443552
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