Lagos bans street hawking, display of goods on sidewalks

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The Lagos government has announced “a total ban” on street trading and hawking across the state. 

Tokunbo Wahab, commissioner for environment and water resources, announced the directive in a thread on his X account on Friday.

The ban is also extended to the building of structures on drainage setbacks and the display of wares on walkways across Lagos.

Wahab said officers of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC) have been directed to enforce compliance with the ban. 

The commissioner added that the ban is to curb “nefarious activities of hawkers who disguise to rob motorists” and “disrupt the free flow of traffic”.

“As part of the renewed effort to ensure a cleaner, safer and healthy environment, Lagos state government, through the ministry of environment, has announced the total ban of street trading, hawking, building illegal structures on drainage systems, and displaying of wares on walkways across the state,” the post reads.

“I have also directed the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (popularly known as KAI) to strictly enforce compliance to the environmental sanitation laws.

“This is meant to curtail the nefarious activities of hawkers who disguise to rob motorists and street traders who disrupt the free flow of traffic on highways and streets.

“The government is hereby declaring a zero-tolerance to street trading, hawking, and other illegal activities in line with Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration’s T.H.E.M.E Plus Agenda.”

Earlier, the Lagos government had ordered the immediate closure of Ladipo market in Mushin LGA of the state over reckless waste disposal, unhygienic premises, and non-payment of waste bills.

In 2016, the Lagos government also announced a ban on street hawking and trading.

Akinwunmi Ambode, former governor of the state, had declared that offenders risked a N90,000 fine or a six-month jail term.