Market men and women in Ekiti State have been cautioned against displaying their goods on the roads particularly in Ado Ekiti, the state capital.
The Commissioner for Information, Taiwo Olatunbosun who gave the warning in Ado-Ekiti, described illegal street trading as unwholesome and dangerous, adding that displaying goods on the road affect free flow of traffic.
He added that the practice compounds problem of waste management and could cause avoidable accidents with possible loss of lives and property.
According to him, “Street trading is a major cause for concern and some of the identified problems include traffic congestion, waste management and unhealthy competition over customers and accidents.
“Environmental wastes generated by street traders lead to obstruction of drainage systems leading to flooding during rainfall, road dilapidation with most of the street traders only littering the environment but rarely taking part in cleaning up the mess.”
Olatunbosun said that the state government had built several markets in Ado Ekiti metropolis, stressing that the markets have proper sanitation facilities, good assess roads and suitable security arrangement.
He urged traders to take advantage of government’s gesture by relocating from the hazardous locations they display their wares to more conducive environments provided to enhance their trade and boost their economic status.
The government spokesman warned that environmental officials would frequently visit the markets to ensure compliance and proper sanitation, adding that culprits would be prosecuted according to the state environmental laws