BY TIMOTHY AGBOR, OSOGBO
Just about two weeks after the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke took over government in Osun State, the open display of wares on the roads and pedestrian walkways has returned across the state.
The state government at the twilight of former Governor Gboyega Oyetola’s administration had banned roadside trading in the state because of the dangers it constituted and associated disturbance of public peace.
The immediate past administration had said that the ban was part of measures to ensure safety in marketplaces across the state.
In a statement issued by the former Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation in the state, Mrs. Funke Egbemode, the government said that the ban had become necessary due to the traffic snarl along major roads and the danger it posed to people selling on the roadsides.
“Osun State Government is worried about the increasing danger that roadside display of wares is posing to its residents and citizens.
“The State Executive Council set up a Special Task Force to stop the trend. This team will pay unscheduled visits to the markets and arrest those obstructing traffic with their wares.
“The team will work with the Federal Road Safety Corps and other law enforcement agencies to ensure safety in our markets.
“The state can no longer fold its arms, while some traders in our markets, especially weekly markets, take over the motorways and pedestrian walkways with their wares.
“The ugly and unsafe trend must stop.
“This directive has become pertinent in view of increasing bottlenecks and security breaches along market corridors, with vehicular and pedestrian traffic now contending for space amid trading activities on the same spots,’’ she said.
Consequently, the traders had desisted from roadside trading after the ban as security agents enforced the order and monitored affected areas.
But, the situation is no longer the same as the old order had returned.
Checks by The Point revealed that roadside businesses had returned immediately Governor Adeleke was sworn-in on November 27.
Also, enforcement agents had relaxed their implementation and arrest of erring traders.
At Owode-Ede market, traders now struggle with road users as they flaunt their wares on the road, thus causing traffic congestion in the busy road.
Speaking with a law enforcement agent in the area who did not want his name mentioned, he said the traders claimed that the order given by Oyetola elapsed as soon as Adeleke took over.
“They (traders) have said we can’t arrest them because a new government is in power. Some of them claim that the new governor is yet to make any pronouncements regarding roadside trading. So, as it is, we can’t even arrest them,” he told The Point.
A motorist who was not pleased with the development said there is no more order on the road, adding that, “we have complained but they (traders) said they own the new governor.”
The situation is the same at Igbona market in Osogbo as sellers now parade wares on the road every Tuesday market.
