Osun bans roadside trading, inaugurates task force on compliance

Osun state government has banned the display of wares on the roads and pedestrian walkways.

A statement made available to our correspondent by the Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Funke Egbemode, Wednesday, stated that the order became imperative as a result of growing traffic snarl and danger to the people.

The statement said the state government has set up a task force with a mandate to ensure compliance with the directives.

The statement stated that the task force will work with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and other law enforcement agencies to ensure safety in the markets, adding that they will pay unscheduled visits to the markets and arrest those obstructing traffic with their wares.

“The state can no longer fold its arms while some traders in our markets, especially weekly markets take over the motorways and pedestrian walkways with their wares. The ugly and unsafe trend must stop.

“This directive has become pertinent given increasing bottlenecks and security breaches along market corridors, with vehicular and pedestrian traffic now contending for space amid trading activities on the same spots.

“The government has immediately set up a Special Task Force that will ensure compliance with safe conduct in our markets and ensure the safety of road users. It is therefore calling on all traders and their patrons to comply with this directive as the Task Force team will operate without prior notice and those arrested will be prosecuted swiftly.

“Traders and artisans who have encroached on the main road and walkways with their wares are hereby directed to vacate such unauthorized trading spots with immediate effect,” the statement added.