Sanwo-Olu Bans Street Trading, Hawking, Display Of Goods On Sidewalks

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has approved the total ban of street trading, hawking and display of goods on sidewalks across the South West state.

In a post released on his X handle on Friday, the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, said the state government has also banned the building of structures on drainage setbacks.

Wahab stated that the ban was part of the renewed effort to ensure a cleaner, safer and healthier environment, and to curb the nefarious activities of hawkers who disguise themselves to rob motorists and disrupt the free flow of traffic.

The commissioner stated that officers of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC), popularly known as KAI, have been directed to enforce compliance with the ban.

The post reads: “As part of the renewed effort to ensure a cleaner, safer and healthier environment, Lagos state government, through the ministry of environment, has announced the total ban of street trading, hawking, building illegal structures on drainage systems, and displaying of wares on walkways across the state.

“I have also directed the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (popularly known as KAI) to strictly enforce compliance to the environmental sanitation laws.

“This is meant to curtail the nefarious activities of hawkers who disguise themselves to rob motorists and street traders who disrupt the free flow of traffic on highways and streets.

The government is hereby declaring a zero-tolerance to street trading, hawking, and other illegal activities in line with Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration’s T.H.E.M.E Plus Agenda.”

Earlier, the Lagos government had ordered the immediate closure of the Ladipo market and other markets in Mushin over reckless waste disposal, unhygienic premises, and non-payment of waste bills.

Recall that in 2016, the Lagos government also announced a ban on street hawking and trading.

• Sodiq Lawal