Ondo Government Issues 21-Day Ultimatum to Traders on Akungba-Ikare Road

The Ondo State Government has given traders operating illegal roadside markets and shanties along the Akungba-Ikare Road 21 days to vacate the area as part of its ongoing urban regeneration and road expansion project.

The directive was issued by the Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Cooperative Services, Pastor Adebola Ademuwagun, during a meeting with traders at the Akungba Market. He explained that the relocation of traders to the Atiba Neighbourhood Market had become necessary to make way for the dualisation of the Akungba-Ikare Road, already approved by Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa.

In a statement signed by the Ministry’s Press Officer, Mrs Aderonke Adewumi, the Commissioner expressed concern over the negative impact of trading activities on the highway. He lamented that several lives, including those of students, had been lost to frequent accidents within the market environment.

Ademuwagun warned that government would no longer tolerate activities that undermine public infrastructure or endanger lives. He urged traders to obtain allocation forms from the Ministry and move to the designated Atiba Neighbourhood Market, assuring them that customers would continue to patronise them at the new site.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Akoko South West Local Government thanked Governor Aiyedatiwa, noting that relocating the market from the highway would ease traffic congestion and enhance public safety. He condemned roadside trading along the busy route, describing it as a major risk to human lives.

In his remarks, the traditional ruler of Akungba, Oba Isaac Adeyeye Ajimo, commended the Commissioner for the directive and praised the Governor for prioritising the welfare of the community by moving the traders to a safer location.

Similarly, the Iyaloja of Akungba Market, Chief Comfort Omoyemi, expressed gratitude to the state government for its intervention and pledged that traders would comply with the relocation order to support the development of the Akungba community.