Cele Bus-Stop: Marketplace that causes traffic snarl
A recent visit to the popular Cele bus stop located on the ever-busy Oshodi/Apapa Expressway in the evening reveals a huge market like never seen before. In the daytime, the bus-stop doesn’t show much trading activities but as soon as it is 4:00pm in the afternoon, any first time visitor would marvel at the horde of people that descend on the pavements buying and selling all manners of second hand goods popularly called bend down select, okrika, O.K, Buskoro and so on.
As soon as one gets to the bus stop in the evening, one is assailed with several funny slogans such as Na mumu dey go Boutique, Genevieve dey buy here; Omotola dey buy here; ‘Newly opened aunty’, ‘Oyinbo ti je gbese,’ ‘aunty, I have your size,’ and so on and you would be left wondering what is being sold to warrant such high number of people, especially ladies, who throw all caution to the wind, scrambling and jostling for clothes, shoes and bags.
A trader confirmed to The Guardian that some buyers park on the bridge and come down to patronize them, an action that leads to traffic buildup on that axis. This is not even thinking of the dangers these traders and buyers expose themselves to, standing so close to the expressway in the name of buying and selling.
Unfortunately, several people have lost their lives from accidents caused by these traders who converge and trade on pedestrian walkways, the road and even the pedestrian bridge. These harrowing incidents and more have done nothing to deter others from trading there. Traders continue to brazenly display their wares by the roadside and on the sidewalks, obstructing vehicular and human traffic. And woe betides you if you mistakenly step on any traders’ goods, as such person would instantly rain curses on you asking if you were blind.
Cele bus stop has become a haven for these street traders and the number seems to be swelling daily as traders that had their shops and stalls demolished at Oshodi have relocated there speedily. These traders who sell items from clothes, shoes and bags, jewellery, belts and all sorts of accessories, children’s clothes, food and household items, electronics as well as a host of other things have overrun the whole bus stop on both sides. Pedestrians are forced to walk on the road as the walkway has been converted to a major bustling market.
A trader who spoke to The Guardian on condition of anonymity said they were not doing anything wrong and insisted they were not blocking the road, only using the sidewalk, “besides, we pay daily for this space. It doesn’t matter whether we sell or not, they will collect their money.”
When asked how much they pay, he said they usually pay between N500-N700 daily to the local government. When asked for any evidence of payment, he said they were not given anything but they know whom they made payment to. Regarding the danger of trading by the roadside, he said there was no danger as they were not really on the road, while still insisting that the road was neither obstructed nor were they inconveniencing anyone.
Another trader who trades in female jeans and referred to himself simply as Monday affirmed that they paid ‘trade permit’ daily, hence they were recognized by the government and “since the government recognizes us and is not saying we are doing something bad, what is your business?” he angrily retorted.
Despite laws and regulations banning street trading postulated by the state government, the practice has continued unabated and it seems the law enforcers are powerless to stop them. Apart from obstructing traffic, this is a ticking time bomb waiting to happen, as these traders are sometimes victims of hit and run drivers.
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