Group of Veteran Activists shields LASG on market closure, street trading, hawking

• commends gov’t proactive step

A group of ten Civil Society Organizations under the aegis of Veteran Activists has thrown their weights behind the Lagos state government’s recent closure of strategic markets and ban on street trading and hawking, citing a particular human rights organization alleged feign defense of affected traders as an ill-informed position.

Addressing newsmen at Lagos Airport Hotel on Sunday, the spokesman of the body Comrade Declan Ihekaire said instead of commendation for proactive steps taken by the state government to prevent another outbreak of epidemics, all it got was bashing and retribution by a group that ought to have better understanding of the issue at hand.

“We Veteran Activists in Lagos State, find it expedient and imperative to set the record straight and clarify issues on the statement of a group of people who tried in vain to condemn the decision of the Lagos State Government to clean up markets and ban street trading.

“Some markets have been closed for poor sanitation, indiscriminate waste disposal and poor management of wastes. The group, which claimed to be acting in support and defence of the traders and market men/women, has criticized the government’s action. This is not right.”

The Veteran Activists stated further that there are many instances in history that corroborates the current stance of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu led administration in the matter, while raising another grey spot which demands urgent attention, with respect to a gradual revert back to old order of Okada plying barred routes.

“First and foremost, in an ideal society like ours, laws are made to regulate people’s actions. Total compliance with such laws is the best way to promote good governance and foster good relations between the government and the governed.

“The Lagos State Government announcement of the total ban on street trading/hawking and closure of some markets on September 29, 2023 is a welcome decision and a good step in the right direction, considering the flagrant disobedience and arbitrary violation of the Lagos State Street Trading and Illegal Markets Law of 2023.

“It is public knowledge that the Lagos State Government’s decision to enforce the ban on street trading/hawking is to curb the activities of criminals who under the guise of being street traders/hawkers unleash mayhem on unsuspecting innocent people, rob motorists and disrupt free flow of traffic.

“The market men/women affected by the closure of markets have not disagreed that they are fond of uncoordinated and indiscriminate waste disposal, in spite of consistent and rigorous awareness and sensitization by the government on the negative implications of such actions.”

The Veteran Activists however raised some posers on the intent of the government, stating categorically that, the government’s statutory duty is the protection of lives and properties of its citizens, including their welfare/wellbeing,

“Why then should some people cry more than the bereaved? Should the government put the lives of millions of Lagosians at risk so that trading can go on in a dirty and inhumane environment?
“Why will the government not enforce the Lagos State Environmental Management Law of 2017?

“Aside the loss of lives and valuables occasioned by the menace of criminals who disguise as traders and hawkers, as well as the attacks on motorists, some hawkers are known to have died in road accidents. There are also traffic jams caused by street trading, which impedes free flow of vehicular movement.

The body counseled further that as regards those whose livelihoods are allegedly affected such can explore available windows of vocational centres for them to break even.

‘On what the hawkers will do for a living, it is simple. Lagos has 19 vocational centres where they can learn any trade of their choice at no cost. When they pass out, they will get free equipment. Isn’t this decent and more dignifying than hawking in the traffic?

“We all saw the importance of cleanliness and proper hygiene during the breakout of Ebola and COVID-19. The Government, to avoid another epidemic due to wanton and indiscriminate refuse disposal by market men/women in their various markets, decided to be proactive. Where were these activists before the government wielded the big stick?

“Health is wealth and cleanliness is next to Godliness, as they say. A healthy environment produces an equally healthy and productive people. This is the lesson.

“Veteran Activists is saying it loud and clear to some people who are ignorant of the salient fact that the Government owes it a duty to the people to ensure the safety of their lives and properties, even as their health is of utmost priority.

“These necessitated the decision taken so far. The people, in reciprocal, owe it a duty to the government to show understanding by displaying good citizenship.

“We Veteran Activists are known Rights Activists of different political views but we always have a common ground to either support good government policies or criticize the government when the need to do so arises.”

“This brings us to the gradual return of commercial motor bikes (aka Okada) to the routes on which they have been restricted. Our finding is that the unholy alliance of the riders/the transportation unions and some law enforcement agencies has fuelled the return of this menace.

“If this is not quickly checked with the enforcement of the law, we will be heading for a state of lawlessness. This cannot be right. The Government should wake up to arrest this unhealthy march to chaos.” Veteran Activists counsels.

Other nine veterans in attendance at the briefing were; Comrade Shina Loremikan, Comrade Rasak Oladosu, Comrade Olufemi Lawson, Comrade Dayo Ogunlana, Comrade Akintunde Adedeji, Comrade Jubril Ogundimu, Comrade Gbenga Soloki, Comrade Tobi Jude and Comrade Comrade Oyinlola Akande.