Lagos orders Tejuoso shop owners to take possession or forfeit ownership rights

Lagos State Government has ordered shop owners at Tejuoso market in Yaba to occupy their allotted shops or risk forfeiture to government.

According to the State Government, the unlawful act of trading on road medians and walkways at the market was responsible for traffic gridlock and accidents as well as abuse of children under school age.

Speaking during sensitization tour on streets trading, low occupancy of shops and Cleaner Lagos Initiative( CLI) held at Tejuosho market in Surulere Local Government, the Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Muslim Folami said government would not condone marketers’ disobedience to the law banning street trading in the State.

He said street trading did not align with the vision and mission of the government for transiting from a Mega City to a Smart City, stressing that the norm should be reversed in order to pave way for more even developmental strides by the government.

“We will not tolerate street trading, our roads and streets are not meant for trading. Any of the traders selling on the major road neglecting the modern-day markets built by government is violating the State Government laws, such traders are at risk.

“It is erroneous believe that selling on the streets is the best way to get patronage. We should be aware of the dangers associated with this practice, especially to our sons and daughters; it is not safe for them, they can be abused,” he said.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Cleaner Lagos Initiative, Adebola Shabi stated that traders were responsible for 45% of waste in the state and urged them to support Governor Ambode’s stance of delivering social amenities to its residents as well as support the Cleaner Lagos Initiative so as to have a healthier and cleaner environment.

Shabi advised traders to stop patronizing cart pushers, saying that the current environmental hazards across the metropolis were largely caused by the activities of unlawful waste disposal.