Kunle ADELABU
Ikorodu Local Government officials seizing a grinding machine during the clampdown on illegal street trading activities in Ikorodu on Monday
Special Taskforce on illegal street trading setup by the Ikorodu Local Government Chairman, Hon. Wasiu Adeshina,has commenced total clampdown on illegal street trading activities in Ikorodu as traders who displayed their wares on the road were dislodged at Ayangbure (Sabo) market and Ojubode – Ikorodu Roundabout on Monday, May 20.
The Council Chairman, Hon Adeshina inaugurated the team some weeks ago.
Many goods were seized while a trader was arrested for attempting to remove some of her seized wares from the taskforce’ truck at Sabo.
The Taskforce, which is being chaired by the Majority Leader of the Ikorodu Local Government Legislative, Hon. Omotayo Awolesi, comprises representatives of the Lagos Neighborhood Safety Corps (LNSC), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Onyabo Vigilance Group, Police and the Council Environmental officers.
According to the council chairman, erring traders are to be charged to the Customary court sitting within the council secretariat premises for prosecution upon arrest.
During the operation of the taskforce, various wares ranging from standing and ceiling fans, rice, beans, clothing materials, grinding machine, pepper, fruits among many others were confiscated from erring traders in Ikorodu.
Hon. Omotayo Awolesi, special task force chairman (M) and Hon. Shakiru (2nd R) leading members of the team during the operation at Sabo market on Monday
Task Force Chairman, Hon. Awolesi, addressing the team at the Ikorodu Local Government Secretariat before embarking on the assignment, enjoined the security personnel to adhere strictly to the rule of engagement which, according to him, is to get rid of street trading and make roads free and safe for traffic.
“The aim of this assignment is to stop street trading which is illegal and ensure free flow of traffic in Ikorodu and to do this, we must clear our roads of any obstruction which street trading is number one” he said.
“You are not expected to spare anybody. Your assignment is strictly to arrest anybody trading on the road and confiscate their wares and they would also be prosecuted in the court of law”.
He stated that the exercise is imperative because of hardship being faced by the people moving in and out of Ikorodu.
“We have received many complaints that the council is not doing anything about the traders that are taking over the major roads and causing traffic. These traders have been warned severally but they are adamant. This left the council with no other choice than to enforce the law”, Hon. Awolesi stated.
Ikorodu LG Environmental officers at work during the exercise on Monday
Hon. Awolesi also explained that the exercise would be a continuous exercise in order to permanently get rid of the street trading and ensure free flow of traffic for vehicular and human movements.
He urged the market men and women to take their wares into their stalls instead of displaying them on the road side while also enjoining pedestrians to assist the government in achieving its aim by not patronizing road side hawkers.
Speaking with THE IMPACT, Hon. Awolesi stated that the dislodgement of street traders from TOS Benson burial ground site down to Ikorodu garage roundabout was just the beginning of the first phase of the council’s resolve of ridding major roads in Ikorodu of traffic bottleneck.
He also revealed that the taskforce is also going to rein in the tricycle operators, motorcyclists and cab drivers that are also contributing to the traffic problems.
An officer seizing medical equipment displayed on the road
Rice and beans displayed on the road were seized during the exercise by the special task force team
