Buy From Hawker On The Road, Go To Jail – Gov. Ambode

Date: 03-07-2016 2:03 am (7 years ago) | Author: Victor A. Ofoma
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- at 3-07-2016 02:03 AM (7 years ago)
(m)


Last Wednesday, around 12 noon, at Maryland Bus Stop, along Ikorodu Road, Lagos, peace was temporally disrupted by rampaging miscreants, otherwise called, “Area Boys”, over alleged killing of a hawker by a fast moving truck.

The yet to be identified middle-aged hawker, while fleeing from law enforcement agents for fear of arrest, suddenly ran into the truck and died on the spot. Consequently, Area Boys around mobilized  and started attacking, in sight, all buses operating under the Bus Rapid Transit, BRT, inflicting severe injuries on passengers in the process.

It was gathered that the incident happened when the hawker, a male, suddenly sighted the convoy of officials of Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI), who were returning from an operation in Ojuelegba,  enroute to Alausa, Ikeja. Apparently, thinking they were coming for him, he fled across the road, oblivious of the fast moving on-coming vehicle, which is a delivery truck of a leading producer of soft drinks,  and, before any one could say “Jack Robinson,” he had been crushed to death. Irked by the development, the Area Boys, in their hundreds, took t the road went after BRT buses, smashing their screens and attacking passengers on board. They were alleged to have also robbed the passengers of their belongings such as cash, bags, and mobile phones, among others. It took the intervention of men of the Rapid Response Squad, RRS, Lagos Taskforce, and other security agents to restore normalcy, but not after over 48 buses hadbeen vandalized. It was gathered that the hawker had been arrested before and was released after payment of N10, 000 fine.

“On the fateful day, he was trying to evade another arrest when she met her death. It would have been better for him to be arrested than running to death,”  an eyewitness told Sunday Vanguard. According to the Managing Director of Primero Transport Services, Mr. Fola Tinubu, operator of the damaged BRT buses, while speaking on the incident, “Investigation revealed that our buses were not involved in any way or form”. Tinubu, apparently, disturbed by the level of destruction and the sheer number of the buses affected, said the losses, running into several millions of naira, were a clear setback to investment, stressing that the Nigerian public must be educated to draw a line between private investment and public assets.

He believed no amount of provocation should justify the destruction of 48 new buses belonging to a private investor who has provided over 2,500 jobs since the commencement of operations in November 2015 and still counting. “The blue BRT buses did not in any way, directly or otherwise, have contact with the late young man”, the MD stated. “Unfortunately, suspected hoodlums took advantage of the incident to unleash mayhem and terror on our drivers, while also causing severe damages to our buses at the scene of the accident.

Some of our drivers are still receiving medical treatment and some commuters had some of their belongings stolen. “Damages on the buses range from broken windshields, front, sides, rear, to side mirrors while some had their interior dented. The buses will be parked in our depot until repair works are carried out which we expect to run into millions of naira”. He however, assured that within couple of weeks, the buses would return to the road. Ambode fumes Governor Akinwumi Ambode immediately ordered full investigation into the incident. The governor also called for thorough details into the immediate and remote cause of the killing of the street hawker with the aim preventing future occurrence as well as  bringing culprits to book. Ambode, who was said to be irked by the development, immediately, directed the police and other  security agencies to launch a manhunt for the perpetrators and bring them to book.

He later announced commencement of total enforcement against street trading and street hawkers, saying that the law banning their activities across Lagos metropolis would take its full course. He said the renewed enforcement is in line with Section One of the Lagos State Street Trading and Illegal Market Prohibition Law 2003 which restricts street trading and hawking in the metropolis.

The governor, while sympathizing with the family of the deceased street hawker, regretted that the situation led to the destruction of public assets. “The issue is we need to enforce our laws because we already have a law in respect of that and then there is a clause in it which says the buyer and the seller are both liable and that we are going to fine them either N90, 000 or a six month jail term”, Ambode said.

“What we are doing on traffic is that we are introducing new strategies to eliminate traffic but Lagos being a cosmopolitan city, you cannot totally eliminate it but now this is the case, in the next few days, you will see on the street of Lagos signs that will be warning you that buyers and hawkers should be aware that there are consequences,” Ambode said. He said his administration had also concluded plans to roll out a massive campaign which would warn both motorists and hawkers of the restrictions and the penalty for defaulters. “We will be watching out for buyers and sellers and all we need is just scapegoat. Don’t buy plantain chips or any other items in traffic from July 1, buyers beware”.

Posted: at 3-07-2016 02:03 AM (7 years ago) | Gistmaniac
- maizaxx at 3-07-2016 02:28 AM (7 years ago)
(m)
I agree with the government wholisticly but equally they should also listen to what those guys are saying-job placement.
Remember an ideal is the devil's workshop
Posted: at 3-07-2016 02:28 AM (7 years ago) | Gistmaniac
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- Toks-E at 3-07-2016 02:50 AM (7 years ago)
(m)
Provide jobs or them before cutting-off  their means of livelihood. Our approach too solving social issues in this country is awkward

Posted: at 3-07-2016 02:50 AM (7 years ago) | Addicted Hero
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- maizaxx at 3-07-2016 03:33 AM (7 years ago)
(m)
The quote I wanted to make was "an idle mind is the devil's workshop"
Posted: at 3-07-2016 03:33 AM (7 years ago) | Gistmaniac
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- gogoman at 3-07-2016 03:39 AM (7 years ago)
(m)
Quote from: z4 Beamer on  3-07-2016 02:50 AM
Provide jobs or them before cutting-off  their means of livelihood. Our approach too solving social issues in this country is awkward


NO MIND AM
Posted: at 3-07-2016 03:39 AM (7 years ago) | Grande Master
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- Novic at 3-07-2016 05:10 AM (7 years ago)
(m)
This is Serious... Na only God fit help person in this country.  Ambode take ham easy oooooo.
Posted: at 3-07-2016 05:10 AM (7 years ago) | Hero
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- Vectorcy at 3-07-2016 05:52 AM (7 years ago)
(m)
These traders I believe will be very willing to pay taxes and go through any form of regulation demanded of them.
The economic implications of shutting down street trading can be heavy. Loads of companies depend solely on these marketers for thier sales. What would UAC be without Gala. What would Lacasera be without the streets. How would you quench
your thirst in grave traffic if not these
hawkers. There is absolutely no rationale to criminalizing thier activities.
Posted: at 3-07-2016 05:52 AM (7 years ago) | Hero
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- EDDYPRINCE at 3-07-2016 06:34 AM (7 years ago)
(m)
LOLZZZZZ MR GOV TAKE IT EASY OOOOOOOOOO
Posted: at 3-07-2016 06:34 AM (7 years ago) | Addicted Hero
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- kison at 3-07-2016 07:10 AM (7 years ago)
(m)
 BE careful, be very very careful, CAREFULLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL……………………………….
Posted: at 3-07-2016 07:10 AM (7 years ago) | Hero
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- Kennycynth at 3-07-2016 07:20 AM (7 years ago)
(f)
Quote from: z4 Beamer on  3-07-2016 02:50 AM
Provide jobs or them before cutting-off  their means of livelihood. Our approach too solving social issues in this country is awkward

seconded
Posted: at 3-07-2016 07:20 AM (7 years ago) | Gistmaniac
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- okatee at 3-07-2016 08:26 AM (7 years ago)
(m)
AMBO, NA BCUZ U NO PASS THROUGH HARDSHIP NAIN MAK U DY HALA LYK ADIS. PROVIDE JOB FR DEM NAWWW.
Posted: at 3-07-2016 08:26 AM (7 years ago) | Gistmaniac
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- Mykie010 at 3-07-2016 08:34 AM (7 years ago)
(m)
Ambode this one no go work at all
Posted: at 3-07-2016 08:34 AM (7 years ago) | Gistmaniac
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- slimmygal at 3-07-2016 08:45 AM (7 years ago)
(f)
oga ambo, how dis one wan take happen now? u no even consider person for inside heavy traffic for lagos. bros take am easy and think am well, before protest start oooooo.
Posted: at 3-07-2016 08:45 AM (7 years ago) | Gistmaniac
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- dareper at 3-07-2016 08:49 AM (7 years ago)
(m)
This is way too much Mr governor. How do u want them to survive???
Posted: at 3-07-2016 08:49 AM (7 years ago) | Hero
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- Airbender at 3-07-2016 10:04 AM (7 years ago)
(m)
Una dey craze

Posted: at 3-07-2016 10:04 AM (7 years ago) | Gistmaniac
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- GermoDon at 3-07-2016 10:35 AM (7 years ago)
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Too bad
Posted: at 3-07-2016 10:35 AM (7 years ago) | Gistmaniac
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- Novic at 3-07-2016 11:40 AM (7 years ago)
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Well I don't blame that man so much, na him job him they do and fighting for people of him state. Him no wan dey hear say people dey die like that again.
Posted: at 3-07-2016 11:40 AM (7 years ago) | Hero
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- chanst at 3-07-2016 11:52 AM (7 years ago)
(m)
dis man dey issue threat??
2 bad 4 his govt
Posted: at 3-07-2016 11:52 AM (7 years ago) | Upcoming
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- Smile369 at 3-07-2016 12:55 PM (7 years ago)
(m)
hawking have been part of our living in nigeria,most mum and dad even the youth feed their family and pay school fees from this hawking,is hawking the problame we have in nigeria?phyuk all the bad leaders with their stupid ideas
Posted: at 3-07-2016 12:55 PM (7 years ago) | Upcoming
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- Smile369 at 3-07-2016 12:58 PM (7 years ago)
(m)
R.i.p bro
Posted: at 3-07-2016 12:58 PM (7 years ago) | Upcoming
Reply
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