Ekiti State Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Taiwo Olatunbosun has said that the 23rd June ultimatum given to road side traders in Ado Ekiti to relocate to the newly completed ultra-modern Agric-Olope and other proper markets within the metropolis is for the safety of all stakeholders.
Speaking in Ado Ekiti on the efforts of Government to develop the State as well as improve the health and welfare of residents, Rt. Hon. Olatunbosun stressed that street trading pose health and safety hazards to the people.
Rt. Hon. Olatunbosun who said Government’s emphasis is on proactive measures to prevent avoidable hazards, highlighted the adverse effects of street-trading to include the security implication, environmental nuisance, social implication, the unfriendly impact on tourism and needless traffic congestion leading to an overall unattractive landscape.
Olatunbosun noted that the newly completed Agric-Olope market is equipped with essential structures like Police Post, solar lights, stalls, covered areas, and restrooms, along with utilities like water and electricity as well as basic tools like cleaning supplies, security equipment amongst others.
Reiterating Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s commitment to improving the welfare of people in the State, particularly traders and entrepreneurs, Olatunbosun urged all roadside vendors in the State capital and other interested prospective traders to take advantage of the opportunity provided by the State Government to improve their businesses.
He assured that the process for allocating the shops, stalls and open spaces to interested traders would be transparently fair and equitable, adding that the emphasis is on openness and impartiality in line with the shared prosperity mantra of the present administration.
Olatunbosun said “the Biodun Oyebanji administration is committed to realizing the aspirations of the state’s founding fathers, transforming the State capital and making the entire State conducive for business. Governor Oyebanji is also particular about how decisions are made and resources are distributed with the aim of creating a sustainable system where everyone is treated fairly and has equal opportunities.”
“It is therefore imperative for all stakeholders to support Government’s efforts by contributing their quota and obeying the laws in order to achieve the desired goals”.
“I am happy to say that we don’t expect any default in effort to put a total end to street-trading in the State capital, but Government will also not hesitate to make any recalcitrant person face the full weight of the law”