Traders displaying wares along Agege Motor road, Oshodi, have taken over the highway, thereby obstructing free flow of traffic on the road

Our correspondent who was at Oshodi on Friday and Saturday observed that the traders exhibited their wares on a lane of the road, making it difficult for pedestrians and motorists to have easy passage.

He observed that this was most noticeable on both sides of the road between Oshodi and Bolade bus stops. But the traders attributed their action to the decision of the state government to displace them from Mosafejo market, saying that this was an unfortunate development in this era of democratic governance.

Two traders, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, regretted that the state government failed to create an alternative market for them before demolishing the market.

They said rather than suffering or begging for money, the only option for them was to display their wares at any available space near the road.

They said if the state government desired to solve the problems of traders in the state, it should lease out stalls at rates affordable to traders.

A passer-by, Mr. Ibukunolu Oyekunle, expressed concern that almost immediately after the traders are asked to leave the road, they soon return to the highway.

He said this attitude portended a risk for the traders, as negligent drivers might hit them in the process of canvassing for customers on the road.

Oyekunle criticised the Lagos State Government for demolishing Mosafejo market in Oshodi, saying that this could be responsible for the increase in the number of traders on the road.

According to him, “the state government has contributed to this problem because it demolished Mosafejo market. This has made the traders to come to the highway to display their wares.”

Another passer-by, Mr. Christian Obibi, supported this position and argued that the state government should have created alternative market for the traders before displacing them.

“The government should have moved the traders to another market. The interest of the populace should be taken into consideration when implementing the planning regulations.”

He said, however, that it was unjustifiable for the traders to take over the road; and urged the Ministry of the Environment task force to restrict the traders to the sidewalk.

A motorist, Mr. Lekan Yakubu, said the Babatunde Fashola administration should be blamed for contributing to the congestion on the road, stating that traders who had stalls in the demolished market had been forced to invade the highway.

He said while people were worried about the growing rate of unemployment in the state, government, by the demolition had added to the alarming figure of jobless residents.

A trader, Mrs. Monsurat Adewoye, said the cost of leasing a stall in the Oshodi Central Market or other shopping centres established by the state and Oshodi/Isolo local government was beyond the reach of traders.
Source:http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art20080410224512

I did predict this would happen, LMAO!!!