Oyo State Warns Against Illegal Street Trading, Refuse Disposal

The Oyo State Government has again warned street traders, especially within the Ibadan metropolis, to vacate the roads or face sanctions

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Mrs Modupe Adeleye, gave the warning, in Ibadan the state capital, on Friday, during a sensitisation programme with market men and women.

Adeleye noted that the state government was poised to finding a lasting solution to the menace of street trading and illegal dumping of refuse in the state.

While harping on the need for collaborative efforts amongst stakeholders at curbing the menace, she stressed that the exercise was not aimed at witch-hunting anyone.

Adeleye called on market, community and transport union leaders, among other stakeholders, to caution their members to 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 state government in its renewed efforts at curbing indiscriminate waste disposal.

” The government had put in place some major efforts, especially by engaging a waste management company, in tackling refuse disposal and recycling.”

Adeleye noted that street trading impedes the free flow of traffic and operatives of the Ministry were resolute on taking an uncompromising posture in enforcing street trading laws in the state.

The permanent secretary therefore appealed to traders to adhere strictly to the environmental laws of the state, by patronising the government approved waste consultant and its accredited franchisees.

She said after the sensitisation exercise, the Ministry would embark on full enforcement and anyone found culpable would face the wrath of the environmental laws operating in the state.

In his remarks, the Babaloja General of Oyo State, Yekin Abass, called on traders in the state to strictly adhere to the environmental laws, urging them to put an end to street trading.

Speaking on behalf of traders, the Iyaloja of the Bodija International Market, Mrs Victoria Onipede; and the Iyaloja of Eleyele Market, Mrs Saliu Akanni, collectively promised their unalloyed support through monitoring their members regularly to ensure they adhere strictly to the law of the land.

The market leaders also agreed to involve other major stakeholders in government’s renewed efforts at tackling the menace.

Markets visited include the Bodija International Market, the Eleyele Market and the Sango Market, among others.

These were contained in a statement signed by the Coordinating Director, Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr Gideon Alade.