Osun bans roadside vending, to penalize defaulters

The Osun State Government has declared a ban on the sale of items on state roadways and issued a warning that anyone seen selling items on a road will face legal action.
Funke Egbemode, the state’s commissioner for civic education and information, announced this in a statement on Wednesday in Osogbo.
Egbemode, who claimed that the State Executive Council meeting decided to outlaw street trade, stated that the restriction was essential due to the increased traffic congestion and risk to market patrons.
In part, the statement said, “The Osun state government is concerned about the growing threat that roadside goods displays are posing to its inhabitants and communities. A Special Task Force has been established by the State Executive Council to halt the trend.

“This team will pay unscheduled visits to the markets and arrest those obstructing traffic with their wares. The team will work with the Federal Road Safety Corps and other law enforcement agencies to ensure safety in our markets.

“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.

“The government has immediately set up a Special Task Force that will ensure compliance with safe-conducts 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.”