The Lagos State Task Force on Environment and Special Offences under the directives of The Governor of Lagos state, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode promised to commence a total enforcement on the band of street trading in the metropolis from today 4th July. Over the weekends Governor Ambode directed law enforcement agencies to commence a total enforcement against street trading and street hawkers from July 1, 2016, saying that the law banning their activities across the metropolis would take its full course.
The governor said that the enforcement is in line with with Section I of the Lagos State Street Trading and Illegal Market Prohibition Law 2003 which restricts street trading and hawking in the metropolis.
Going through the major roads and high ways of the metropolis, the absence of the normal presence of street hawkers , individuals peddling their items can be noticed.
The death of a street hawker last week, as he tried to evade arrest by Metropolitan police hastened the resolve of the State government to enforce the law against street hawking despite resistance by some traders that their livelihoods were being taken away, however Governor Ambode in an interview sympathized with the family of a street hawker, and regretted that the incident not only lead to the death of an individual but the destruction of public assets.
Consequently, Ambode said the state Executive Council has resolved to enforce the Law, which according to him makes both the hawker and the buyer liable of the offense.