Clamp down on roadside traders, Iyaloja urges government
By Abolaji Adebayo
The Iyaloja of Jakande Estate Retail Market, Chief Mrs S. M. Adebiyi, has called on the authority of Ejigbo Local Council Development Area (LCDA) to suppress illegal market traders at Jakande-Gate bus stop, Ejigbo, claiming that they have been causing nuisance in the market.
Iyaloja made the call while speaking with our correspondent, complaining that the authorised traders lose to the street counterparts who prevent the customers from getting into the market to transact.
She lamented that the regular traders have been experiencing low sales in recent times due to the activities of the roadside traders.
She disclosed how the roadside traders mislead buyers and prevent them from patronising the authorised traders inside the market as they sell goods for them right on the road before getting into the market.
She hinted that the illegal trading is indirectly a manifestation of continuous gridlock in the area.
She pleaded with the government to also help caution the ‘area boys’ who extort marketers by forcing them to pay before their goods are transported to their shops.
“Over the years, I have been writing to the council chairman. He once mobilised the taskforce to get rid of them but after some times, they resumed back to their illegal trading.
“There is no much sales as traders are all patching up the little they have at hand. Many traders even the graduates among us are suffering in silence as area boys keep troubling them. They steal their goods whenever they try to neglect their demands.
“Sometimes, when they go to buy goods at Mile 12, the area boys would stop their truck to forcefully collect money from the little they earn.”
She appreciated the efforts of the council chairman, Hon. Monsuru Bello (Obe) and Oke-Afa Ward Councillor, Hon. Ismail Omoniyi, for the renovation of the market toilet.
She also acknowledged the efforts of Babaloja, Chief J. O. Bolarinwa and other market members who contributed towards the development of the market.
