Traders seek relocation as Ogun demolishes ‘illegal’ shops, shanties

Traders in the Panseke, Kuto, Idiaba, and Nawarudeen areas of Abeokuta South Local Government Area of Ogun State have appealed for relocation after their shops and shanties were demolished by the state government.

The demolition exercise began on Friday, targeting shanties and shops that were illegally erected around public properties such as schools and under bridges. Traders who had placed their goods on walkways, drainage, and sections of the road had their merchandise seized, and their makeshift structures destroyed. The Senior Special Assistant to Governor Dapo Abiodun on Environment, Farouk Akintunde, explained that the demolition was carried out after the traders failed to comply with a notice issued to them last year.

He emphasized that the shanties had become a haven for criminals and posed a security risk, while illegal trading on the road and walkways had worsened traffic congestion in the affected areas. The demolition exercise is set to continue across the state. In response, the traders have appealed to the government to provide them with a suitable and affordable alternative location to continue their trade.

They cited the current economic crisis and high rent costs as reasons why they resorted to trading on the roadside. The traders requested that the government establish a monitoring team to identify those violating the no-trade-on-walkway policy and deal with them appropriately. They also expressed willingness to comply with instructions and relocate to a designated trading area if provided by the government.

The head of the traders at the Panseke market praised the demolition and stated that the failure of the traders to heed repeated warnings necessitated the government’s action. Market leaders have pledged to continue sensitizing traders to the importance of complying with government directives.