The Lagos State Government has reiterated its resolve to stop street trading by fully enforcing the provisions of the law restricting such activities within the metropolis.
Chairman of the State Task Force on Environmental and Other Special Offences (Enforcement Unit), Mr Olubukola Abe, revealed this in Lagos.
According to him, there was need to reduce traffic congestion on the highways, which is often a result of activities of hawkers on these roads.
He said that street trading and hawking, according to Section 1 of the Street Trading and Illegal Market Prohibition Law, 2003,were illegal activities.
"Section 7 and 8 of the same law" he said "gives jurisdiction and power to the special court to order the seizure and public auction of items impounded for street trading.
"Section 10 of the law prescribes the sum of N5000 as fine or three months imprisonment upon conviction.
"Our men are prepared to step up enforcement of the relevant sections of the law,"
According to him, "Aside from the far reaching implication of street trading in terms of accidents which in most cases are fatal, street trading also affects the free flow of traffic in the metropolis.
"It also contradicts the environmental sanitation laws by littering our streets with waste generated from the act.
Making reference to gentlemen of the highway, who perpetrate evil acts in high traffic areas, Abe said, "We also have had reports of the activities of persons who pose as beggars, especially in traffic, but their sole aim is to perpetrate evil.
"We are putting a search light on this trend and one way to do that is to ensure that we take pre-emptive measures to forestall this development,''
He, urged residents to refrain from patronizing street traders, asking those interested in trading to seek for spaces provided in designated markets within the state.
Add your comments here.