Reactions trail Osun govt’s ban on roadside trading 

Traders in Osogbo have reacted to the directive issued by the Osun State Government that it will no longer condone display of wares on the roads and pedestrian walkways.

The Osun State Government had on Tuesday after its weekly executive meeting, issued a directive outrightly banning roadside trading in the State.

The Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Funke Egbemode said the ban became necessary because of growing traffic snarl and danger to everybody using the markets.

Baring her mind, a resident, Azizat Olagunju held that the directive by the State government is for the benefit of the traders.

She revealed that in some markets in the State, some traders were fond of displaying their wares by the roadside.

“It also causes disagreements between traders,” she said.

Olaide Adeleye blamed the government for waiting till this time before taking a definite action.

She revealed that the past administration erected barriers which held back traders from getting to the road but the present government did not maintain it and allowed it to deteriorate.

“Traders are kind of rowdy people, especially on market days. The previous government erected roadside barriers in Owode-Ede, Sekona and other markets but this administration did not maintain them. Go to those markets now, you’d only see the steel frame and foundation. No wire mesh barriers again,” she said.

Ruth Idowu, a roadside trader in Owode-Ede market, pleaded with the State government to give traders more time to move to other locations.

According to her, “The news came to us suddenly and none of us expected such.

“We will comply with the directive but we need some time. Going about seizing wares, arresting and driving traders away from their spaces would be a bad way of going about it for now.”

Some respondents were of the opinion that the directive is intended to keep traders safe from accidents that may arise as a result of intrusion into the road.

However, others see it as a political action taken because the wife of the governor was attacked at a popular Osun market.

They blamed the governor for waiting this long before taking action to bring orderliness to markets in Osun.

During a visit to some markets, especially Owode-Ede, security personnel were observed enforcing the directive.

On Friday night, the wife of the State governor and First Lady, Kafayat Oyetola and her convoy were attacked at Owode-Ede area of the State.