Environment

OGHA Wants Ministry to Enforce Ban on Road-Side Trading

By Web News 223

By Omolara Adasofunjo

The Ogun State House of Assembly has called on the State Ministry of Environment to begin immediate enforcement of the laws against those displaying items for sale on road facilities, thereby causing gridlock in the State.

The lawmakers made at a session with the Management of the State Ministry of Environment led by the Commissioner, Mr. Ola Oresanya to analyze the 2025 budget proposals of the Ministry before members of the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, chaired by Mr Lamidi Musefiu. 

Mr Musefiu, alongside his colleague in the House Committee on Environment, Mr Samsideen Lawal and other lawmakers particularly requested that street traders that encroached the road under the Kuto flyover bridge and other parts of the State needed to be warded off to allow the free flow of traffic and prevent avoidable road accidents.

They also commended the Ministry for its efforts at dredging waterways across the State which had helped in reducing flash floods in some parts of the  State.

Earlier in his presentation, the State Commissioner for Environment had proposed a total budget expenditure of  3.6 billion naira for the next fiscal year, out of which 2.9 billion would go for capital expenditure, while 754 million naira would take care of recurrent expenditure.

Other agencies that defended their budget proposals before the Assembly included the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, the State  Ministry of Transportation, the State  Teaching Service Commission and the State Waste Management Authority. 

The management of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, D. S. ICT Polytechnic, Itori, Abraham Adesanya ICT Polytechnic, Ijebu- Igbo, Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Saapade and Sikiru Adetona College of Science and Technology, Omu- Ijebu were also at the House of Assembly Complex to defend their budget proposals.

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Economy

Ekiti Govt. Bans Roadside Trading, Relocates Traders

By Web News 515

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

The State Commissioner for Information and Values Orientation, Mr. Akin Omole gave the order in a statement made available to newsmen in Ado Ekiti.

He explained that the directive was for the safety of the people from avoidable accidents, improved hygiene in market places and to forestall preventable outbreak of diseases.

The commissioner 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.

Mr Omole stated that the order was given after due consultations and in

agreement with the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe.

He added that government officials and a committee set up by the Ewi had been going round to sensitize all stakeholders on the need to relocate to

new and existing markets within the state capital.

The commissioner noted that the directive did not affect traders in approved shops and stalls.

According to him, maize sellers currently 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, (akpu) sellers along Okesa market should immediately move to Ajowa market.

Also, 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 along Ado Streets should relocate to Awedele

and Oja Agric Olope markets.

He however directed all occupiers of Atikankan to vacate the place and relocate to designated markets.

Mr Omole, who stressed the commitment of the Fayemi-led administration to the development of the state and the welfare of the people, however warned that the directive would be strictly enforced without fear or favour, saying 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 was to forestall a repeat of the disaster that occured in nearby Iworoko community when the driver of a

loaded trailer lost control and ran into a market killing many people

and destroying properties worth millions of Naira few years ago.

Oba Adejugbe urged residents of Ado Ekiti to obey the directive in the

interest of all stakeholders.

Amos Ogunrinde

Economy

No going back on ultimatum on roadside trading – Oyo Govt.

By Web News 999

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

Environment

Ondo Govt Goes Tough On Roadside Trading

By Web News 584

Any trader found displaying wares on walkways in Akure metropolis shall henceforth be arrested and prosecuted.

The Senior Special Assistant to Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu on Special Duties and Strategy, Dr Doyin Odebowale gave the warning when he led the state’s task force on the clearance of road verges and walkways.

Dr Odebowale decried how the traders had turned walkways in the state capital to their warehouses thereby obstructing the flow of traffic.

Ondo state government had last week directed traders to desist from displaying their wares on roads and walkways and not hinder human and vehicular movement.

Areas visited included Oja Oba, Oba Adesida road, Isikan, Arakale, Iro Street where motor parks and bus stops that were gradually turning to semi-ware houses were not spared.

Speaking with Radio Nigeria, two residents, Mrs Ola Adeniran and Mrs Oguntoye Bosede commended the task force for the action saying that it would eradicate unnecessary traffic jams along Oba Adesida and Arakale roads.

Olorunferanmi Odofin

Economy

Roadside trading will still continue in Oyo State – Gov. Makinde

By Web News 1225

Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde says his government will not halt roadside trading until the government provides an alternative for traders to transact their businesses.

Governor Makinde disclosed this while reacting to questions from participants at the stakeholders’ consultative meeting on 2021 budget held in Ibadan.

The governor said the only justification to stop street trading across the state was to create an alternative means and until government provide qualitative neighborhood market, street trading could still be accommodated.

Governor Makinde who reiterated that traders in the state contribute significantly to the economy development of Oyo State, therefore stressed the need for government to give priority to their welfare and support them in their businesses through provision of conducive environment.

He urged the people to continue to support state government in its task to develop the state.

Iyabo Adebisi