The Nasarawa State Government has urged roadside traders in Karu to relocate to the Muhammadu Buhari International Market, provided by the state government for business activities.
Mr Yakubu Haruna, General Manager, Greater Karu Development Control Agency (GKADCA), made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Karu.
NAN reports that the relocation of roadside traders on the Mararaba/Karu axis to the market has been an ongoing directive from the Nasarawa State Government and the Karu Local Government Council.
NAN also reports that the state and local government have actively enforced strict environmental and market regulations that ban street, roadside and illegal trading under local by-laws and state directives.
Haruna said that the council would henceforth not tolerate traders found displaying goods in front of shops or by the roadside.
According to him, authorities have warned that traders blocking road corridors around the ongoing flyover construction along Mararaba, Karu, would be arrested and prosecuted before a mobile court.
Haruna emphasised that the enforcement became unavoidable after dialogue failed to clear traders blocking access roads into the markets and obstructing the ongoing flyovers construction
“By the time the construction is completed, anybody still selling or hawking by the roadside will be arrested and taken to a mobile court.”
The General Manager stressed that after the completion of the flyover, they would ensure that everybody operates inside the market.
He explained that the directive was rooted in the need to honour the investment made by Gov. Abdullahi Sule in constructing the flyover to decongest traffic in the area.
He said the governor provided the flyover to decongest traffic, urging traders to complement the government`s effort by moving off the corridors.
”We are working in conjunction with the local government, though some of them have moved to the market, but some are still adamant.
“However, when the ongoing construction is completed, anybody who is found by the roadside will be arrested and prosecuted,” he added.
