A group, under the auspices of the Veteran Activists, has called on the Lagos State Government to enforce a ban on street trading in the state.
The spokesperson of the group, Declan Ihekaire, while addressing journalists in Ikeja, Lagos, on Sunday said the move is crucial in maintaining law and order in the state.
He said that the appeal comes in response to the government’s decision on September 29, 2023, to impose a total prohibition on street trading/hawking and to shut down certain markets.
Ihekaire added that the move aims to protect the lives and properties of citizens, citing incidents of criminals posing as hawkers causing harm and disruption, including robberies and traffic congestion.
“It is expedient and imperative to set the record straight and clarify issues on the statement of a group of people who tried in vain to condemn the decision of the Lagos State Government to clean up markets and ban street trading.
“Some markets have been closed for poor sanitation, indiscriminate waste disposal, and poor management of wastes. The group, which claimed to be acting in support and defense of the traders and market men/women, has criticized the government’s action. This is not right,” Ihekaire added.
He said that in an ideal society, laws are made to regulate people’s actions.
“Total compliance with such laws is the best way to promote good governance and foster good relations between the government and the governed,” he explained.
Ihekaire revealed the government has provided alternative avenues for those affected, pointing out the 19 vocational centers in Lagos where hawkers can learn trades of their choice at no cost.
Furthermore, he expressed concern about the gradual return of commercial motorbikes (Okada) to restricted routes.
According to him, “This brings us to the gradual return of commercial motorbikes to the routes on which they have been restricted. Our finding is that the unholy alliance of the riders/the transportation unions and some law enforcement agencies has fueled the return of this menace.
“If this is not quickly checked with the enforcement of the law, we will be heading for a state of lawlessness. This cannot be right. The Government should wake up to arrest this unhealthy march to chaos,” he said.
