Dele Olaosebikan
THE Oyo State government has again called on street traders to vacate the roads or face sanctions, especially within the Ibadan metropolis.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Mrs Modupe Adeleye gave the warning in Ibadan today during a sensitisation programme with market men and women.
She said the Oyo State government is poised to find a lasting solution to the menace of street trading and illegal dumping of refuse in the state.
While emphasising the need for collaborative efforts amongst stakeholders in curbing the menace, she stressed that the exercise was not aimed at witch-hunting anyone.
Mrs Adeleye called on market, community and transport union leaders among other stakeholders to caution their members and stop the allocation of trading spots on roads and major streets to traders in the state.
The Permanent Secretary said traders and residents must align with the Oyo State government in its renewed efforts at curbing indiscriminate waste disposal.
She noted that the state government has made efforts, especially by engaging a waste management company, Mottainai Recycling Ltd, in tackling refuse disposal and recycling.
Mrs Adeleye noted that street trading impedes the free flow of traffic and that operatives of the Ministry are resolute on uncompromising posture at enforcing street trading laws of Oyo State.
Mrs Adeleye, therefore, appealed to traders to adhere strictly to the environmental laws of the state by patronizing the government-approved waste consultant and its accredited franchisees.
She said immediately after the sensitization, the Ministry would embark on full enforcement and anyone found culpable would face the wrath of environmental laws in operation in the state.
In his remarks, the Babaloja General of Oyo State, Chief Yekin Abass called on the traders in the state to adhere strictly to the environmental laws, urging them to put an end to street trading.
Speaking on behalf of traders, the Iyaloja of Bodija International Market, Chief Mrs Victoria Onipede and her counterpart, the Iyaloja Eleyele Market, Mrs Saliu Akanni collectively pledged their unalloyed support by monitoring their members regularly to ensure they adhere strictly to the laws of the land.
They also agreed to involve other major stakeholders in the Oyo State government’s renewed efforts at tackling the menace.
Markets visited include Bodija International Market, Eleyele Market and Sango Markets, among others.
Eighteen-Eleven Media