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PressRoom
Guest
The gory scene of the street hawker that was crushed by a speeding oncoming truck yesterday sent chills down the spines of Nigerians. Media reports have it that the young man met his untimely death after being chased by men of the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI), a Lagos state government environmental task force.
The deceased was scampering for his dear life, and the huge fine (N10, 000) that would be imposed on him for making for a living in a petty way. He was allegedly hit by the Bus Rapid Transport (BRT).
The government, however, explained in a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Steve Ayorinde, that it was a truck belonging to a soft drink company that unfortunately knocked the hawker down and not a BRT bus as erroneously thought.
According to Ayorinde, “It wasn’t any of our buses that killed him (hawker); it was a soft drink company truck that unfortunately crushed the boy while he was trying to escape from KAI officers who were on patrol trying to rid the street of street hawkers and traders. The Lagos State Government would like to use this opportunity to further reiterate that it would not relent in ridding the state of illegality, street trading and hawking,”
The young man's death is not a new case in Nigeria. Street traders are everyday faced with myriad of untold hardships while trying to get their wares across to potential buyers. If not death, some of them suffer being trampled on by vehicle wheels, some being hit by over-speeding drivers while trying to catch up (with goods in their hands) with their buyers for money of purchased items.
The defence of the state government is clear: that they are trying to rid a mega, but commercial city like Lagos of the menace of street hawking, child trafficking, and social vices. True, we've had cases of hoodlums who disguise as traders to strip people off their possessions.
However, being civilly responsible behoves on environmental officials to exercise their duty with sense of caution and humanity – as street trading is a commercial part of our tradition.
Taking it back to the good old days, where shouts about products or a melodious tune would let potential customers know what wares street traders had to offer as they made their way from street to street. This manner of trading makes goods available at the door steps of buyers and this has not in any way faded into oblivion as civilization crept in.
They are seen on the highways, in bus garages, in public transports, etc. Their manner of trade cannot be totally eradicated in our society – that is overshadowed with corruption, gross misconduct of public officials, unemployment among others. Government officials cannot claim they have not patronised these street traders in one way or the other.
These resourceful youths count their profit at the end of the day and channel the money towards their upkeep, perhaps towards their education.
The trading activity, for some, does not in any way disturb them from going to school or alter their dreams. And in fact, our people see nothing bad in it since it is an integral part of our culture. In fact, many great men in Nigeria have stories to tell on how they traded in the street to survive.
Some buyers prefer to get their needs from street traders not because of their busy schedules, but because these traders sell at cheaper rates, and create a friendly relationship with their customers for long-term transactions. Their productive effort is about creating value for people, not merely maximizing profits.
Our governments should recognize that the mere act of buying and selling communicate an important knowledge: the satisfaction for ordinary people to trade without fear will pave way to life-sustaining flourishing.
The death of the young man is a constant reminder that with no other means to survive, street traders will continue to work hard to make a honest living. It is also a call on government to gear up to being responsible for the lives of ordinary citizens, and not blaming the rot on legislations that may continually claim the lives of young, innocent, and aspiring citizens.
Lagos state government led by Dr. Akinwunmi Ambode should call state para-military officials to order in delivery of their constitutional duties and ensure adequate training and re-training of those officers at intervals. The government should also sincerely compensate the family of the deceased.
The deceased was scampering for his dear life, and the huge fine (N10, 000) that would be imposed on him for making for a living in a petty way. He was allegedly hit by the Bus Rapid Transport (BRT).
The government, however, explained in a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Steve Ayorinde, that it was a truck belonging to a soft drink company that unfortunately knocked the hawker down and not a BRT bus as erroneously thought.
According to Ayorinde, “It wasn’t any of our buses that killed him (hawker); it was a soft drink company truck that unfortunately crushed the boy while he was trying to escape from KAI officers who were on patrol trying to rid the street of street hawkers and traders. The Lagos State Government would like to use this opportunity to further reiterate that it would not relent in ridding the state of illegality, street trading and hawking,”
The young man's death is not a new case in Nigeria. Street traders are everyday faced with myriad of untold hardships while trying to get their wares across to potential buyers. If not death, some of them suffer being trampled on by vehicle wheels, some being hit by over-speeding drivers while trying to catch up (with goods in their hands) with their buyers for money of purchased items.
The defence of the state government is clear: that they are trying to rid a mega, but commercial city like Lagos of the menace of street hawking, child trafficking, and social vices. True, we've had cases of hoodlums who disguise as traders to strip people off their possessions.
However, being civilly responsible behoves on environmental officials to exercise their duty with sense of caution and humanity – as street trading is a commercial part of our tradition.
Taking it back to the good old days, where shouts about products or a melodious tune would let potential customers know what wares street traders had to offer as they made their way from street to street. This manner of trading makes goods available at the door steps of buyers and this has not in any way faded into oblivion as civilization crept in.
They are seen on the highways, in bus garages, in public transports, etc. Their manner of trade cannot be totally eradicated in our society – that is overshadowed with corruption, gross misconduct of public officials, unemployment among others. Government officials cannot claim they have not patronised these street traders in one way or the other.
These resourceful youths count their profit at the end of the day and channel the money towards their upkeep, perhaps towards their education.
The trading activity, for some, does not in any way disturb them from going to school or alter their dreams. And in fact, our people see nothing bad in it since it is an integral part of our culture. In fact, many great men in Nigeria have stories to tell on how they traded in the street to survive.
Some buyers prefer to get their needs from street traders not because of their busy schedules, but because these traders sell at cheaper rates, and create a friendly relationship with their customers for long-term transactions. Their productive effort is about creating value for people, not merely maximizing profits.
Our governments should recognize that the mere act of buying and selling communicate an important knowledge: the satisfaction for ordinary people to trade without fear will pave way to life-sustaining flourishing.
The death of the young man is a constant reminder that with no other means to survive, street traders will continue to work hard to make a honest living. It is also a call on government to gear up to being responsible for the lives of ordinary citizens, and not blaming the rot on legislations that may continually claim the lives of young, innocent, and aspiring citizens.
Lagos state government led by Dr. Akinwunmi Ambode should call state para-military officials to order in delivery of their constitutional duties and ensure adequate training and re-training of those officers at intervals. The government should also sincerely compensate the family of the deceased.
