I once sold bread - Gov. Makinde explains why he refused to chase traders off streets

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde has disclosed his adamant reason behind his refusal to chase street traders off the streets of the state without making alternative preparation for them.

Makinde said his decision stemmed from his experience as a boy street trader at Yemetu, an Ibadan neighbourhood.

The governor spoke at the Oja’ba Central Mosque, Ibadan during a special prayer to commemorate his 52nd birthday. 

“Somebody said that I was quoted as saying that I would not chase away street traders without providing them with alternatives. Yes, that is true because I know the mentality of street trading. I once sold bread by the roadside in Yemetu.

“I said so because we cannot send them away until we provide an alternative for them. And we have started enforcing that. We did that at Ojoo where we asked people not to trade at the point where we want to situate our modern terminus.”

Makinde thanked the people for praying with him and wishing him well.

“Your prayers are important to me. It doesn’t matter if we have a multitude. What we have here is a quality crowd,” he said.