We are overdue for market reforms

It is retrogressive that many decades into the era of full-blown civilisation, some aspects of the Nigerian life have remained static. The idea of open space market dates back to centuries ago when our forebears dedicated different places known as market squares to communal buying and selling. The market operated opened at the interval of specific number of days with different localities having different open days. Today, like then, some markets open every day for transaction of business.

Although we have a number of malls, supermarkets, shopping complexes, personal shops and other market outlets in cities and major towns, much is still left to be done. Our market system in Nigeria is in need of significant transformation. The modern forms of shopping are far outnumbered by the traditional ones such as the roadside and open air markets which pose a major challenge to town planning and urban landscaping.

Less than two years to the second decade in the 21st century and people in cities like Ibadan, Lagos and Port Harcourt still buy and sell by the roadside and in unplanned spaces. It will be a gross mistake to think this particular piece advocates the obliteration of traditional forms of market. It rather proffers practicable ways to make marketing easier, effective and efficient for the buyers, sellers and the larger society.

I will kill myself if my gratuity is not paid in two days ― Retired civil servant threatens

To understand some of the demerits of road side trading as helpful and easy as it may seem, one needs to pass through a major road at silent hours when everyone has left for their abodes and the area is deserted. A couple of times, I have been shocked to discover that the road is actually much wider. In fact, the portion occupied by sellers and their activities during the day is about as wide as a whole lane. Why won’t there be traffic and human congestion when the road is shared by sellers and buyers, pedestrians and vehicles (parked and moving)? Asides the fact that roadside selling disfigures the layout of a place, it equally puts people’s lives at risk as the roadside markets have replaced pedestrian walk ways and thus make people to walk very close to the main road where vehicles pass. Occasionally, people are hit and crushed and there are accidents in the bid of drivers trying to manage the narrowed road.

Another issue with open markets and roadside trading is that they make environmental sanitation more difficult. Because each person doesn’t have a really fixed spot, they are not accountable for where they put their stock. Passersby are usually assaulted by the foul odours that exude from the unchecked pollution perpetrated by these market people.

That some states have been largely successful with the idea of general abattoirs is a proof that we can have organised markets. More shopping complexes should be built within a convenient radius in each street or area. The government should make sure that no one is seen selling by the roadside and in open spaces. Housed markets are a very fantastic idea because they help sanitation officials maintain cleanliness as the owner of each shop is accountable to their space and will be punished on such basis. We will be having instances of each block cooperating to keep their spaces clean so as to avoid sanctions by the waste management officials.

Joint shopping structures also help to manage space; marketing becomes easy and efficient since the shops are compartmentalised according to types of goods. There will be running water, electricity to preserve perishables, general waste containers and trade becomes so enhanced and easy for everyone.

Our roads and streets will be safer, freer, cleaner and easy to clean. Town and city landscapes will also be well planned and appealing like they are in even modern cities in African countries. There are many more benefits that we stand to gain by modernising our market system.

I, however, understand that this move will be met with opposition from market people who pay cheap fees or almost nothing to occupy where they are. These reasons are why only a diplomatic, responsible and reasonable government can implement such a change. Government policies and regulations as regards market need to be reviewed toward achieving this progressive innovation.

Muyiwa Adeyemo,

Ibadan.