Govt Goes Tough On Street Traders

As part of efforts to discourage street trading, the Lagos State government has warned that henceforth, anyone caught buying goods from street traders would be sent to prison.

This warning was issued by the state’s Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Information and Strategy in an initiative to enforce law and order contained in the street trading and illegal markets law.

The notice warns: “if you buy goods, wares, articles, or anything capable of being bought or buy any services whatsoever on roads, highways, expressways, or bridges in and around Lagos, or within or around any public building in Lagos State from anyone offering such goods or services for sale, you shall be liable to a fine of N5,000 or six months imprisonment as a first offender and a stiffer punishment for subsequent offences.”

The warning, according to the notice, applied to all streets in all local government areas of Lagos State.

Street traders are also not left out in the punishment list as the notice also warned that anyone found selling any good or services on streets or roads shall be liable to six months imprisonment or an option of fine.

It says, “if you hawk, display or sell any goods, wares, articles or anything capable of being sold or offer any services whatsoever on roads, highways, expressway and bridges in and around Lagos State, you shall be liable to a fine of N5,000 or six months imprisonment as a first offender.”

Traders on overhead bridges, owners of shops extended to highways and indiscriminate poster pasted are also liable to same punishment.