Oyo moves to enforce ban on street trading

The Oyo state government says it has begun a clampdown on street traders, in a bid to rid the state of the practice. 

Modupe Adeleye, permanent secretary, ministry of environment and natural resources, said the move is in furtherance of the government’s commitment to putting an end to trading on highways and major streets.

Adeleye said the enforcement follows the government’s sensitisation at Ibadan markets a few weeks ago.

The markets visited included Beere, Oja-Oba, Idi-Arere, Oranyan, Molete, Eleyele, and Bodija.

The government said its enforcement is in line with the ‘street trading and illegal market prohibition law’, which prescribes specific punishment for buyers and sellers of any goods or services on the roads.

The permanent secretary said the development is also necessary to secure lives and properties of residents, due to escalating records of avoidable accidents caused by the crowding of streets by traders.

“It is no longer news to anyone that the Oyo state government will no longer tolerate street trading and the ministry would be enforcing the law henceforth,” a statement by Rotimi Babalola, director of press and public relations, quoted Adeleye as saying.

Adeleye appealed to residents to ensure proper disposal of refuse.

She also enjoined market leaders to ensure that members adhere strictly to environmental laws, urging them to engage the government-approved waste management consultant, Mottainai Recycling Ltd.