A Nigerian businessman, Godswill Cole Chiori, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to allow the establishment of Association of Hawkers and Petty Traders in Nigeria to create economic empowerment for the less privileged.

In an open letter to the President, members of the National Assembly and others, Chiori said that hawking, as an age-old trade, had played a significant role in empowering individuals and families to enable them to escape poverty and create economic opportunities.

In the letter, dated June 18, 2023, Chiori said hawking had been a means of survival and self-reliance for many, allowing them to provide for their families and contribute to their communities.

He, however, said the use of child labour, security risks, extortion, and absence of regulation, were some of the pressing issues that have marred the reputation of hawking in Nigeria.

“It is essential that we address these concerns to create a dignified and regulated trade environment for hawkers while preserving the cultural significance of the trade.

“I propose the establishment of an Association of Hawkers and Petty Traders in Nigeria, which will serve as a pivotal platform to address the aforementioned challenges and transform the hawking trade into a dignified and sustainable livelihood option for all participants.

“This association will provide a formal bureaucratic process, regulatory oversight, and social support for its members,” he said. He said there would be a formal registration, whereby someone who is engaged in hawking or petty trading will be required to register with the association.

The registration process, he said, would include necessary identification details, verification procedures, and obtaining a licence to operate. He also suggested licensing and identification, where hawkers will be provided with a uniform and identification card to ensure only authorised individuals are permitted to hawk their goods.

“This measure will enhance the security of both the hawkers and the public.

“Also, producers of hawked goods will be required to register with the association and pay a yearly fee before their products can be legally sold in traffic or through hawking channels. This process will help to regulate the quality and safety of products sold by hawkers.

“There will also be social support, where the association will utilise the collected fees, with contributions from subscribing companies and others, to establish a support system for its members.

“This system will include medical assistance, scholarships for education, and general maintenance of the association’s activities,” he said. He, however, suggested that a comprehensive bill should be drafted to encompass the legal framework necessary for establishing the association.

The bill, he said, should outline the licensing process, regulatory guidelines, fee structure, and the responsibilities of all stakeholders involved. He stressed that there would also be public awareness and consultation such that extensive public awareness campaigns should be conducted to educate the hawkers, producers and the public about the benefits and implications of the proposed association.

“Stakeholders’ opinions, concerns and suggestions should be solicited through consultations and town hall meetings to ensure inclusivity.

“There should be collaboration and partnership so that they would collaborate with relevant government agencies, law enforcement bodies, and other organisations to implement the necessary infrastructure, such as registration centres, training programmes and monitoring mechanisms,” he added.