Can Lagos Stop Trading at Undesignated Spots?
The Lagos State Government is not leaving any stone unturned to achieve its megacity ambition and part of its moves to realise the goal is to make every nook and cranny of the state eye-catching and habitable.
Heading for the accomplishment of the megaproject, the past administration showed zero tolerance for all sorts of unwanted trading activities. In fact, when the former governor Babatunde Fashola launched a crackdown on unlawful trading most especially around Oshodi, it dawned on all that the commercial nerve centre was in for real business.
With the attention and seriousness given the sanitation exercise, one would not have thought that Lagos would wear its old picture again, but that can only be imagined.
It wasn’t too long before the renovated and sanitised areas began to wear their old looks.
The present administration was not too quick to look in that direction and when it realised the need to counter the menace, some areas like Oshodi under bridge and railway lines seemed to have been forgotten or perhaps, are no longer restricted to traders.
Away from the flamboyant actions against indiscipline in the state is the question of sustainability which has continued to plague and diminish the targeted accomplishments.
Recently, the state government expressed its anger at the unimpressive state of Agbado Okeodo Market, popularly known as Ileepo market in Abuleegba.
Not disputing the legality of the centre for buying and selling, the Secretary to the State Government, Tunji Bello, frowned at the fact that traders had extended their wares to the road side, thus denying pedestrians and motorists free access.
He cautioned the traders to adjust or have the market sealed off. This directive was effective just for a while. The traders only pretended to be compliant with the appearance of the law enforcement agents; once the agents are out of sight, the restricted roadside was soon turned into a crowded marketplace. In the evenings, Saturdays and Sundays, activities on the roadside continue as though there are no restrictions.
Again, the Ikeja and Ojuelegba flyovers have just got a facelift, and anyone who visits the areas will remember the looks of the facilities soon after Fashola’s touch.
As it is, all the traders, including commercial drivers have vanished from the areas which now wear serene and decent looks; a good step which has earned the administration a lot of commendations. The big question is: would this effort and investment be sustained?
Marketplace sampled some traders’ opinions on the development.
A yoghurt seller who identified himself as Ndubusi, said, “As long as the government cannot provide alternative and very cheap and subsidised shops that will accommodate traders, it cannot stop street or roadside trading. We all know that the poor are disadvantaged in this country and there are no special arrangements for them. This is the only way we make ends meet and we are being disturbed.
“Now that we have been chased away, tell me, do the authorities expect that we will sit at home and expect manna from heaven? We will definitely look for somewhere to display our wares which government will come again and declare illegal spots.
Again, the government has succeeded in dealing with illegal commercial activities in some parts of the state, whether this effort will be sustained, only time will tell.
As the preparations for the 10th edition of the Indomie Independence Day Awards (IIDA) hits top gear, host company, Dufil Prima Foods, has unveiled the faces of the judges who will decide the fate of the over 180 contestants vying for the ‘hero’ status.
According to the Group Public Relations and Events Manager, Mr. Tope Ashiwaju, the judges, numbering seven, were expected to sit next week Tuesday and do justice to the top 24 stories already picked by the selection committee to choose the best 10 who will wear the crown.
The award categories range from “Intellectual, physical and social bravery and exploits.”
Ashiwaju identified the judges as Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief, New Telegraph Newspaper and President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Mrs. Funke Egbemode; Founder of Hearts of Gold Children Hospice, Mrs. Laja Adedoyin; a Solicitor and Advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria and Managing Partner of Abiola Sanni and Co., Prof. Abiola Sanni; Founder of Rise Networks, Social Entrepreneur and Human Development expert, Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji; ex-Ben TV, London Director, Mr. Gbola Oba; the National Director, SOS Children’s Villages Nigeria, Mr. Eghosa Erhumwunse and MD/CEO of Rave TV & Trend FM, Mrs. Agatha Amata.
The company noted that the distinguished judges were carefully selected based on their proven credibility and integrity.
“IIDA is a credible initiative and so we have carefully selected reputable and distinguished men and women from different spheres of life, based on their integrity, vast experience and reputation in the society, to help in picking the final 10 winners,” Ashiwaju said.
He added that a verification team were in the field to authenticate, validate and simulate the selected 24 stories, which would later be examined by the judges in arriving at the best 10 for each award category.