…meets with Oshodi market women
The Lagos State Taskforce Chairman, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), Shola Jejeloye, has met with the Iya-Alaje of Oshodi/Isolo LCDA and her executive concerning the nonchalance displayed by traders who obstruct the free movement of pedestrians and vehicular movement by displaying their wares by the roadside and walkways.
Jejeloye disclosed this today during an interactive session held at his office in Bolade Oshodi where he enlightened the Iya-Alaje of the Market Union, Alhaja Abibat Ajasa and her executive on the need for traders in Oshodi to adhere to the laid down laws governing trading and the environment which their members are fond of flouting.
He informed the visitors that he had a previous meeting sometime in May where he addressed the market men and women concerning the same issues but there was no positive response from them.
He further said: “This is the second in the series of meetings this year that we are having with traders from Oshodi/Isolo concerning street trading, and display of goods on the walkway because it is obvious my first message and actions were ignored. I confiscated some of the goods of the traders then but we released them as a result of the promise made by the traders not to return to the roadside. Unfortunately, they have done the exact opposite and I can assure you it will not be business as usual this time.”
The Iya-Alaje of the Market Union notified Jejeloye that though she accepted the blame for the actions of the traders, she would like to state that there were also some unscrupulous elements who granted them permission to display their wares within specific time frames of the day.
She assured Jejeloye that changes would be noticed henceforth after she notifies her colleagues of the new development. Ajasa promised to give the State Taskforce all the necessary support to ensure that the City remains clean and habitable for all.
The Babaloja of Oshodi/Isolo LCDA, Alhaji Tajudeen Lateef, appealed to the State Government to ment stiffer punishments on those who still engage in open defecation around the Market and the City as a whole. He said that if two or three persons, who flouted the orders were used as scapegoats, it would serve as a deterrent to others.
Jejeloye assured the traders’ representatives of his support in achieving the desired environmental goals of the State but warned that if anyone of them was found constituting a nuisance on the roads and walkways, “We will be forced to arrest and prosecute such a person. We must all work together to achieve an environmentally friendly and habitable Lagos.”
