THE efforts of the Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole at sanitizing the Oba Ovoranmwen Square, otherwise called the Ring Road, Upper Mission and other areas in Benin metropolis from the activities of street traders and other hawkers of assorted wares is not only timely but also very commendable.
STREET trading is the act of engaging in the buying and selling of goods and services, in undesignated and unauthorized centres by traders and their customers alike. In recent times, this has become rampant in Nigeria especially in our towns and big cities where it has become one of the menacing social and commercial activities of some Nigerians.
FACTORS responsible for the use of undesignated centres for trading are not far-fetched; the lack of respect for constituted authorities by such traders; the fact that the society has become highly organic in nature, thereby attaining a level of sophistication that human activities are getting more and more complicated; the fact that there is population explosion to the extent that Nigerians now migrate enmasse from the rural to urban centres; the effect of urbanisation and development with all its attendant advantages and disadvantages, the high level corruption on the part of our law enforcers, who, after collecting gratifications, financially or otherwise from these traders, leave them undisturbed to carry out their illegal street trading.
IN both traditional and modern Nigerian societies, certain areas are reserved as centres for commercial activities and designated and built as markets for traders to go and occupy for purposes of displaying their wares and engaging in the buying and selling of same, and this was well organised.
BUT today, what we find is wanton blockade of major streets and centres meant for other purpose by traders, who, with impunity and effrontery engage in their businesses without due consideration for other road users, or the health implications of their actions. Centres like Ojuelegba in Lagos State, Ore in Ondo State, Obolafor in Anambra State, Dugbe in Oyo State, Lagos Street and the popular Ring Road in Edo State to mention but a few, have been notorious for acts of street trading overtime,
BEING that the disadvantages of street trading far outweigh the advantages, governments and concerned Nigerians have individually and collectively kicked against the act, calling for a halt to such attitude.
ALSO, street trading in undesignated centres in our cities and towns, have added in no small measure, to bastardization of the aesthetic value of such areas, even as it has also contributed to the depreciating health status of the people who live in and around such market areas, due to the high volume of filth generated from the activities of such illegal traders.
AGAINST this background, The NIGERIAN OBSERVER in addition appeals to market women to abide by and listen to wise counsel from government by moving into vacant stalls inside the markets, to help add to the aesthetic value of our cities, even as they are also admonished to help enhance their health status.
IT is something worthy of note to see how the city centre (Ring Road) looks like when it is devoid of any street trading. The fact is that the scenario provides a beautiful atmosphere to behold and equally something of pride that Benin City could be equaled to any beautiful city in the world.
HENCE, we enjoin all residents to continue to maintain the standard that has been set by the Comrade Adams Oshiomhole-led administration who is desirous to ensure that a befitting infrastructure base is put in place that will be something of pride to everyone.
