Governor Gboyega Oyetola’s administration has banned the display of wares on the roads and pedestrian walkways across Osun State.

“The state can no longer fold its arms while some traders in our markets, especially weekly markets, take over the motorways and pedestrian walkways with their wares,” the Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Funke Egbemode, said.

Ms Egbemode, in a statement on Wednesday in Osogbo, described the activity as ugly and unsafe.

According to her, the ban was necessary due to the traffic snarl along the major roads and the danger it posed to people selling on roadsides.

“Osun State Government is worried about the increasing danger that roadside display of wares is posing to its residents and citizens.

“The State Executive Council today set up a Special Task Force to stop the trend.

“This team will pay unscheduled visits to the markets and arrest those obstructing traffic with their wares,” she said.

Ms Egbemode said the team would work with the Federal Road Safety Corps and other law enforcement agencies to enforce the ban.

“This directive has become pertinent in view of increasing bottlenecks and security breach along market corridors, with vehicular and pedestrian traffic now contending for space amid trading activities on the same spots,’’ she said.

The commissioner added, “Government is, therefore, calling on all traders and their patrons to comply with this directive as the Task Force team will operate without prior notice, and those arrested will be prosecuted swiftly.”

(NAN)