As part of efforts to eradicate street trading in the state, Oyo State governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde on Friday, directed the allocation of free stalls to about 700 street traders at the Agodi-Gate Junction in Ibadan, the state capital.
Makinde who made the announcement during the inauguration of the Agodi-Gate, Civic Center and Idi-Ape Junction improvement projects, ordered that the allocation be carried out with immediate effect.
According to the governor, the decision will go a long way in taking traders off the streets and to improve free flow of traffic.
Makinde urged the people of the state to use the facilities with care and protect it from wear and tear.
He disclosed that the improvement will reduce the man power spent in traffic as another three of such project are underway at U I Road, Polytechnic Road, and Eleyele Junction.
“By completing and commissioning these junctions, we are making a clear statement of sanity. These projects are significant in our quest in Omi Tuntun 2:0 which is the rule of law.
“The shops will be given free of charge to traders in Gate. They will allocate it 2-1 and by so doing, take 700 traders out of the streets into the stalls. They won’t give it to civil servants. They would be given immediately.
Governor Makinde at the event identified street trading and illegal dumping of refuse as two bad-mannered acts that citizens must do away with.
“Street trading and illegal dumping of refuse are two uncivil acts that we must do away with as citizens of Oyo state,” the governor said.
He disclosed that directive has been given that anyone caught carrying out such acts should be made to face the brunt of the law, stressing that the state has sensitized the people through billboard at Gate, so that no one will feign ignorance of the law.
Governor Makinde added that local and foreign investments are being expected in the next few weeks, as such, the state “cannot decouple tourism promotion from a clean and safe environment.”
“As we celebrate these accomplishments and pledge to do more, it’s our belief that the good people of Oyo State will use these facilities carefully and protect it from wear and tear,” he said.
In his goodwill message, the Anambra State governor, Prof. Charles Soludo who expressed appreciation for the invitation, described Governnor Makinde as an uncommon and visionary leader who is determined to move his state forward.
