The Oyo state government said it has commenced a clampdown on street traders, in a bid to end the state of the practice.
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 of Ministry of environment and natural resources, Modupe Adeleye 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.
She said in Oyo State, street trading is now prohibited and a punishable offence according to the environmental laws of the state.
Also, 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.
According to a statement by the director of press and public relations, Rotimi Babalola quoting Adeleye, “It is no longer news to anyone that the Oyo State Government will no longer tolerate street trading in the state and the ministry would be enforcing the law in full force, henceforth.”
Adeleye disclosed that the strict enforcement exercise which has commenced in Ibadan is an implementation of a long existing enactment by the state government on street trading and Illegal Market Prohibition Law, which prescribes specific punishment for both the buyer and the seller of any goods or services on the streets.
She enjoined market leaders in the state to ensure members adhere strictly to the environmental laws.
