Osun State Government has announced a ban on the display of wares on roads across the state, with a warning that anyone caught displaying wares on the road would be prosecuted.

The state’s Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Funke Egbemode, made this known in a statement in Osogbo on Wednesday.

Egbemode, who said the decision to ban street trading was taken at the State Executive Council meeting, added that the ban became necessary because of growing traffic snarl and danger to people using the markets.

The statement read in parts, “Osun state government is worried about the increasing danger that roadside display of wares is posing to its residents and citizens. The State Executive Council today set up a Special Task Force to stop the trend.

“This team will pay unscheduled visits to the markets and arrest those obstructing traffic with their wares. The team will work with the Federal Road Safety Corps and other law enforcement agencies to ensure safety in our markets.

“The state can no longer fold its arms while some traders in our markets, especially weekly markets take over the motorways and pedestrian walkways with their wares. The ugly and unsafe trend must stop.

“The government has immediately set up a Special Task Force that will ensure compliance with safe-conducts in our markets and ensure the safety of road users. It is therefore calling on all traders and their patrons to comply with this directive as the Task Force team will operate without prior notice and those arrested will be prosecuted swiftly.”