Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has issued yet another warning to roadside traders against carrying out their business activities on Lagos roads to avoid hindering the free flow of traffic in some areas of the State.
The warning was made by the General Manager of the agency, Mr Bolaji Oreagba, during the weekend while addressing the officers on the need to ensure and maintain seamless traffic during and beyond ‘Ember Months’ across the State.
Oreagba explained that the activities of these illegal traders have become a major bane impeding the free flow of traffic on major roads.
He disclosed further that Section (1) of the Lagos State Street trading and Illegal markets prohibition Law of 2003 prohibits both buyers and sellers from engaging in business activities at an unauthorized place: while there are various penalties/jail terms for anyone found guilty of contravening the Law.
“It has become worrisome having to spend many hours in traffic caused by illegal traders on our roads, thereby creating an artificial bottleneck”
“We have to put a stop to that by ensuring that activities involving buying and selling are taken off the roads and put back into market complex designed for such,” he said.
He added that the warning was also meant to protect the lives of illegal traders from unforeseen circumstances such as accidents from reckless private/commercial/truck/tanker drivers.
He, however, lamented that these illegal trading activities persisted, despite several warnings to the traders to stop displaying and selling wares on main roads, medians, road- setbacks, bus stops, and drainage alignments.
Oreagba however called on market leaders to support the Agency in ensuring the activities of these illegal traders are put under check to make our roads free for motorists and other road users across the State.
