The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Olabode George, has urged Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to halt the inhuman treatment of traders in the state and embrace a more civil approach to governance.

In an open letter he signed, yesterday, George described the daily experiences of traders in the state as “despicable” and “wicked,” citing instances of harassment and extortion by state officials and security agents.

He said that traders were being forced to pay multiple levies to councils and also subjected to extortion by thugs and rough-necks. George recalled that street trading had been part of Lagos culture and tradition and should be regulated and not criminalised. He also berated the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps and the Central Business District for abusing their powers.

George urged Sanwo-Olu to revisit the issue and regulate street trading instead of subjecting traders to harassment. Meanwhile, Sanwo-Olu, yesterday, said that his administration is committed to provision of sustainable healthcare delivery for residents as the state recognises the significance of maintaining good health for productivity. He encouraged all residents to adopt a good health.

The governor, who spoke during a visit to the screening booth of the Lagos State AIDS Control Agency at the trade fair, commended the agency in the fight against the spread of HIV in the state.

However, no fewer than 1,323 exhibitors and participants have benefited from the free HIV screening and counselling services provided by the AIDS control agency as part of the activities of the trade fair, which ended yesterday at the Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos.

Chief Executive Officer of the agency, Dr Folakemi Animashaun, said that the free screening exercise was aimed at creating awareness and providing preventative support to attendees and exhibitors at the event as free HIV screening and counselling service is one of the strategies deployed by the agency in reaching members of the community.