Ekiti Residents, Motorists Worry Over Menace of Roadside Trading

By Precious Oham, Stephen Udesinanna

Despite concerted efforts by the Ekiti State government to ban roadside trading in Ado-Ekiti metropolis, residents and motorists have expressed worry over their activities. 

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Recall that in January 2023, the Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji had said his administration would build more markets in strategic locations within the state in a bid to stop street trading and provide more facilities for commercial activities.

It was observed that apart from causing both human and vehicular traffic in such areas, the safety of traders as well as buyers, even passersby on the roads is being put at risk as such activities have led to fatal casualties.

Our correspondents observed that some of the markets are on the major roads where vehicles ply often.

A visit to some of the markets within the Ado-Ekiti metropolis, particularly Oja Bisi and Oja Oba markets, showed that sellers prefer to display their goods by the roadsides to the space and shops inside the market.

According to some motorists, they usually found it difficult navigating through the roads thus leading to unwarranted traffic and gridlock. 

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A trader Seun Afolabi said that some of those selling on the roadside are shop owners inside the market, but had to bring out their wares outside where they believe they can make sales.

A resident who spoke on condition of anonymity said that it posed much danger while calling for immediate action by the state government.

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