Market leaders in Calabar have thrown their weight behind the Cross River State Government’s efforts to curb roadside trading, saying the practice poses serious threats to free vehicular movement, public safety and orderly market operations.
The market leaders expressed their support when they recently met with the Commissioner for Environment, Barr. Bassey Mensah, to deliberate on environmental compliance, market management and measures to keep roads and other public spaces free from unauthorised trading activities.
Barr. Mensah warned traders against abandoning designated market spaces to display and sell their goods along roadsides, stressing that such activities contribute significantly to traffic congestion and expose traders, pedestrians and motorists to avoidable accidents.
The Commissioner urged market leaders to support the government’s efforts to restore order to the metropolis and ensure that commercial activities remain within designated market areas.
“We must get back our environment and restore sanity to our markets,” Mensah said.
He stressed that compliance with environmental and market management regulations was essential to creating safer, cleaner and more organised commercial spaces across Calabar.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mrs. Rosemary Onah, decried the unsanitary conditions of some major markets in the metropolis, stressing that the government could no longer condone practices that undermine environmental standards.
Mrs. Onah reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring that commercial activities are conducted in accordance with approved regulations, while urging market leaders and traders to cooperate with relevant authorities.
Responding, the Chairman of Marian Market Union, Pastor Asuquo Etim, said market union leaders were not in support of roadside trading, noting that the practice was contrary to the principles and regulations governing organised markets.
He disclosed that there were sufficient stalls within the markets to accommodate traders, adding that many of those operating along the roadsides were not members of the union.
Etim therefore called for the intervention of the Ministry of Environment to address the situation and enforce compliance, stressing the need to protect the integrity of organised markets.
Also speaking, Goddy Ibem of the Neighbourhood Association, highlighted the vulnerability of roadside traders and warned that trading along roads could expose them and other road users to serious accidents.
Ibem recalled an incident at Etim Edem Park where roadside trading reportedly caused a major obstruction, leaving a truck unable to manoeuvre through the area until the intervention of the police.
He expressed concern that motorists could lose control of their vehicles or be unable to manoeuvre safely through congested areas, potentially resulting in serious accidents and loss of lives.
By Sylvia Okoi
