The Seyi Makinde led government in Oyo state has restated his resolution to ban street trading in major markets, especially Ogunpa market in Ibadan, the state capital where it said many lives have been lost to vehicular accidents as traders displayed their wares by the roadsides.
The state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Mrs Funmilayo Orisadeyi disclosed this while speaking with newsmen after a tour and inspection of the Ajumose International Market, Ogunpa in Ibadan North West local government area.
Mrs Orisadeyi lamented the state of the Ogunpa market and how traders displayed their wares on the road to make sales, without care about their safety or the easy movement of vehicles within the market.
The Commissioner appealed to the street traders at Ogunpa to make use of the shops as law enforcement agents would be dispatched to enforce compliance with the order to vacate the roads.
“The enforcement is to ensure the safety and security of our people and make life easier for them with this market that has the state-of-the-art facilities like other modern markets.
“We therefore appeal to all traders, not only in Ogunpa market but all across Oyo State to vacate the road sides and put up their wares in a more conducive business area and shops designated and provided by government.”
Some of the facilities available in the market include Clinic, standby generator, restrooms, warehouse, fire station, police post, parking lots, to mention but a few
The market is set up in four phases with a total of 544 stores and 314 open stores, and only about half of the stores have been occupied.
