The Ogun State Government has intensified efforts to curb street trading and the display of wares on walkways across the state, as officials from the Ministry of Environment and allied agencies launched an enforcement exercise.
The operation, spearheaded by the state’s Ministry of Environment task force, targeted prominent areas in Abeokuta, including Panseke, Under Bridge, Omida, Sapon markets, and Iyana-Mortuary junction.
The exercise, carried out in collaboration with the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE), So-Safe Corps, and Environmental Marshals, aims to enforce compliance with environmental laws and ensure public safety.
Leading the operation, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment, Alhaji Faruk Akintunde, stated that the clampdown was necessitated by the need to safeguard lives and property.
According to him, the government had issued repeated warnings to traders about the dangers of encroaching on walkways and setbacks.
“This enforcement is not to inconvenience the traders but to prioritize their safety and the well-being of the public.
“The security of lives is paramount to this administration,” Akintunde said. He disclosed that wares seized during the raid would only be reclaimed after the payment of fines, underscoring the government’s commitment to maintaining order.
The Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Ola Oresanya, had earlier issued multiple notices, cautioning traders against violating the state’s environmental laws.
Despite these warnings, some traders remained defiant, prompting the task force’s intervention.
Reacting to the development, Mrs. Elizabeth Oladoyin, a trader at Panseke Market, acknowledged the efforts of market leaders in warning traders against the dangers of obstructing walkways.
“The Iyaloja and Babaloja of Panseke Market have consistently advised us to stop displaying goods on the walkways to prevent traffic congestion and accidents,” she said.
The state government has reiterated its resolve to sustain the enforcement exercise to ensure full compliance with environmental laws and improve public safety.
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