The Lagos State Government has warned traders in the habit of displaying their wares on the road for sale beyond the confines of the market thereby causing traffic gridlock and other environmental nuisance to desist henceforth otherwise markets where such illegal activities are perpetrated would be shut down till further notice.
The State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, who handed down the warning at a meeting with leaders of Agbado Oke-Odo Market held at Lagos House in Ikeja, on Wednesday, said the activities of the traders who are in such habit had reached a level which the State Government could no longer condone, hence the need for a final warning.
The Governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Tunji Bello, said the leaders of markets in the State have been warned and counseled severally on the need to rein in on their market men and women to desist from disturbing others through their trading activities on the roads, but some have become adamant.
He said aside causing avoidable and needless traffic, the traders were also in the habit of dumping their refuse on the road, thereby causing environmental and health hazards.
He said in as much as government was not interested in shutting down markets, but it would have no choice than to wield the big stick if traders continue constituting themselves as menace to other road users.
“What we are saying is that the government is not interested in shutting down any market because of the economic implication on the people who have to survive and live. As a government, we are not interested in shutting down business enterprises and all that, but if it is constituting menace and inconveniencing other people, we will have no choice than to wield the big stick, and that is why we are giving the market leaders the last warning to go and re-order their market,” Bello said.
Meanwhile, Mr. Bello said the warning to Agbado Oke-Odo traders also applies to other markets in the State.
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