By Maria Famakinwa
The menace of roadside trading has become one of the major problems besetting road networks in Akure, the Ondo State capital. While commuters and motorists are increasingly becoming helpless over the situation as it hinders traffic flow and causes avoidable accidents, the situation also poses significant risks to the traders themselves.
Despite the efforts of the state government to stem the tide, some traders have remained adamant, openly displaying their wares beside the road, thus preventing the free flow of traffic. The major roads notorious for this in the capital city include Adesida Akure-Owo, and Arakale roads, among others. The officials saddled with the responsibility of monitoring the activities of traders along these roads seem to have been overwhelmed, as they face a hectic time controlling the deluge of traders converging to trade on the roads daily between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. However, after working hours, when the monitoring officials have closed for the day, it becomes extremely difficult for motorists to reach their destinations on time because traders occupy almost half of the roads with their goods.
Lamenting the situation, a motorist, Mr Babatunde Olamide, said: “I have had to swerve several times to avoid hitting pedestrians and vendors selling their wares on the road. It is frustrating because some of these vendors don’t seem to care about their own safety or that of others. The only time there is free flow of traffic is between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., when government officials are on ground to prevent traders from displaying their wares. As soon as they return to their offices after the day’s work, the traders return to the roadsides for sales. They are more concerned about making money than prioritising their safety.”
Sharing a similar view, a commercial driver, Mr Friday Oluwole, who shuttles between Arakale and Oke-Aro, explained that an accident involving a private car and an okada rider occurred three Sundays ago after the driver hit the rider while trying to navigate the road to avoid traders who had displayed their goods by the roadside.
He said: “The accident was quite serious. The okada rider became unconscious immediately, and four traders who had displayed their goods by the roadside were also injured and rushed to hospital. Traders are in the habit of blocking the road with their goods on Sundays. We try to talk to them, but they don’t listen. Accidents happen on this road mostly on weekends when government officials are not on ground to enforce the law. A trader almost lost her life on this same road when she was hit by a vehicle while shading her goods beside the road. I am appealing to the state government to enact a law that will prevent traders from displaying their goods beside the roads, even on weekends.”
Also commenting, a civil servant, Mrs. Glory Adeduyi, stressed that roadside trading had resulted in accidents that claimed many lives. She cited an incident that occurred in Shasha Market last year when a cab mistakenly ran over some traders selling by the roadside.
She said: “The driver was trying to make a U-turn, unaware that traders were behind the vehicle. He mistakenly ran over their toes. Some of them who tried to escape fell and sustained serious injuries. I was surprised to see other traders at the same spot displaying their goods the same day the accident happened. I agree that everyone needs money, but not to the detriment of one’s life.”
Some traders at the Oja-Oba Market who displayed their goods by the roadside spoke with The Hope. One of them, Mrs. Bolatipe Fehintola, who sells fresh fish, explained that she decided to stay by the roadside to get more patronage. She said: “If I go inside the market, I won’t make good sales, and fish is not something I can keep till the next day. As you can see, customers prefer patronising those by the road to going inside the market. If other sellers move inside the market, I will, too. But the truth is that displaying your goods by the road brings good sales.”
Also, a fruit seller, Mrs. Joy Grace, explained that she could not afford to rent a shop due to the small profit her business generated. According to her, she had been selling fruits and vegetables on the same road for years and felt comfortable trading there because she had regular customers.
Her words: “Moving my stall to a distant location will disrupt my business and affect my income. Everyone knows how tough the economy is. I think I should be encouraged, as I am trying to feed my family by selling fruits and vegetables. Even though it’s not enough, it’s better than begging. Asking me to stop selling by the road is like cutting off my only means of livelihood, as I cannot afford to rent a shop. Besides, fruit sellers don’t need a shop to get patronage; fruits and vegetables are things people can easily buy by the roadside. I’ve built a loyal customer base here, and I don’t want to lose them.”
When told that it was risky to sell by the roadside, she replied: “I understand what you’re saying, but I trust God for His continuous protection. There are some traders who bring their goods to the roadside despite having shops, simply because customers prefer to patronise those on the roadside. Even though I know it’s dangerous, I have no option but to remain safety-conscious while selling, because I can’t afford to rent a shop.”
A trader who sells fairly used clothes at the same market, Mr Kolapo Obanla, blamed the act of displaying goods by the roadside on poverty. According to him, some traders who cannot afford to rent shops wait for Sundays to bring out their goods because they are not allowed to do so on weekdays.
His words: “That’s why you see everywhere blocked on Sundays. Even though it’s risky to display goods by the roadside, some traders no longer care. Things are hard, and everyone wants to survive. For many of us, this is the only way to sell our goods. That’s the same reason I’m doing it too. Honestly, the poor are having it rough in this country, and only the government can find a lasting solution. I cannot steal, and trading is the only thing I know how to do. I also wish to have a shop to display my goods, but the current situation doesn’t permit that.”
Speaking differently, a road user, Mrs. Titilola Aina, condemned the act of displaying goods by the roadside, regardless of the reason, and called on the state government to take action against such traders, stating that they endanger their own lives and those of road users.
She said: “I am totally against those who display their goods on the roadside. We understand that they want to fend for their families, but should they jeopardise their own lives and the lives of others? The state government should clamp down on these traders because they are constituting a public nuisance. I have been praying that the fuel in my car will take me home, but now that the free flow of vehicular movement has been hindered by traders selling by the roadside, I don’t know what to do if my fuel finishes here.
There is a need for the state government to sensitise the public on the dangers of roadside trading and arrest anyone who does otherwise. We cannot fold our arms and watch people do the wrong things under the guise of survival. Other people’s interests must be considered. We must be safety-conscious, even while trying to make money.”