A few days ago, a tragic incident occurred at Eleyele Junction in Ibadan Metropolis. According to eyewitness accounts, a truck loaded with granite lost control and struck roadside traders before crashing into a garage where passengers were waiting. This devastating accident left several injured, lives lost, and the community in chaos and mourning.
This heartbreaking event underscores the urgent need to address the dangers of roadside trading and its impact on public safety. While the Oyo State Government has repeatedly warned against trading on walkways, setbacks, and main roads, citing concerns about city aesthetics and public safety, recent events suggest a gap in enforcement and commitment to maintaining a safer environment.
Underpasses at Molete, Mokola, and similar locations have become hubs for traders and beggars, raising questions about the state’s resolve in addressing this growing menace. A visit to the Challenge area reveals how pedestrian walkways have been overtaken by traders, forcing pedestrians onto busy roads and endangering their lives. Despite the visible presence of officers from the Oyo State Road Traffic Maintenance Agency (OYRTMA), enforcement remains weak.
One anonymous trader disclosed that individuals regularly collect revenue from them for using these spaces. This raises critical questions:
• Who is collecting this revenue?
• Were these spaces designed for trading?
• Why aren’t the environmental task force and other agencies enforcing regulations effectively?
If the state government is truly committed to creating a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable environment, immediate action is required. Enforcement of regulations must be swift and consistent, complemented by sustained advocacy and awareness campaigns. These campaigns should target schools, markets, and malls, emphasizing the importance of maintaining order, cleanliness, and public safety.
A cleaner and safer Ibadan is possible, but it requires intentionality and collective effort.
Oyo shi ma dun!
#ZeroToleranceIbadan
#CleanerIbadan
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#SustainableDevelopment
#Sustainability
Idris Animasaun
Architect and Social Change Advocate
