The Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran, has affirmed that he will not reverse his decision to curb the excesses of exploitative trading associations in Ijesaland.
The Owa in Council, led by the Obaala, High Chief Folorunso Ibitoye, reiterated the Owa’s stance against the harsh regulations imposed by trading associations.
An enforcement task team, comprising the High Chiefs of Ogboni, Odole, Oba Odo, Loro, Arapate, Yeyerise, Iyaloja, and representatives from Atakumosa Market, instructed vendors to adopt appropriate customer service practices, warning that violators would be held accountable.
During the raid, the task force seized dozens of fake measuring modules from certain traders and placed a curse on anyone engaging in fraud in the future.
The team gave roadside vendors, including those at the popular Ilesa roundabout and Adeti, a three-day ultimatum to relocate to the main market as mandated by the Owa, prohibiting them from selling their wares in these areas.
Additionally, the task force recommended that pepper vendors offer their products in smaller quantities rather than the current standard of 500 naira per unit. Sellers are expected to charge as little as 200 naira per item according to this directive.
The Oba Odo of Ilesa, High Chief Busuyi Gbadamosi, stated in an interview that the exercise was in response to the Owa’s May 18, 2024, proclamation prohibiting the use of counterfeit measuring modules and banning merchant associations for traders in Ijesaland.
The Obaala noted that the exercise would resume on Monday.
Images: Isaac Haastrup
Leave a Reply