Makinde allocates free shops to 700 street traders in Ibadan

The Executive Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde in a bid to stop street trading has announced the decision of the state government to allocate free stalls to about 700 street traders at the Agodi-Gate junction in Ibadan.

He made the announcement during the inauguration of the Agodi-Gate, Civic Center and Idi-Ape junction improvement projects in Ibadan.

The governor, who directed that the allocation be carried out immediately, said the decision would go a long way in taking traders off the streets and improving free traffic flow.

Governor Makinde enjoined the people of the state to maintain the facilities, saying, “We are commissioning these three junction improvements. Some people might say this is a small project, why am I commissioning it?

“These junction improvements reduce the manpower spent in traffic another three is coming, UI road, Polytechnic road, and Eleyele junction.

“By completing and commissioning these junctions, we are making a clear statement of sanity. This project is significant in our quest in Omi Tuntun 2:0.

“The shops will be given free of charge to traders in the gate. They will allocate it 2-1 and by so doing take 700 traders out of the street into the stall. They won’t give it to civil servants. They would be given immediately.

“Street trading and illegal dumping of refuse are two uncivil that we must do away it as citizens of Oyo State. I have given directives that anyone caught carrying out such acts will face the brunt of the law.

“We have placed a billboard right here at the gate so no one will say they are ignorant of the law. In the next few weeks, we will be welcoming local and foreign investment to the state. We cannot decouple tourism promotion from a clean and safe environment

“As we celebrate these accomplishments and pledge to do more, it’s our belief that the good people of Oyo State will use these facilities carefully and protect them from wear and tear,” he said

In a goodwill message, the Anambra State Governor, Professor Charles Soludo who described Governor Seyi Makinde as an uncommon and visionary leader said the event is about urban regeneration to develop Ibadan City.

Makinde and his Anambra state counterpart, Professor Charles Soludl later flagged off the road Infrastructure component of the 32.2km out of the 110km circular road in the Badeku area.