Despite the efforts of the Lagos State government to regulate and curb the excesses of those engaged in one form of street trading or the other, night markets have returned to Lagos.
The government has, in particular, been involved in a running-battle with street traders, especially those who operate in the night and who often clog up the roadsides, thus creating or worsening traffic congestion which is a big problem in the state.
It had tried to tackle the menace by building more markets and lock-up shops, in an anticipation that many roadside traders would seize the opportunity to operate in designated commercial areas.
It will, however, appear that the success recorded from this was short-lived as roadside trading, together with its night-time variant, are currently back in full force in Lagos.
For instance, most of the traders lamented bitterly about the hike in prices of government-owned shops which have gone beyond the reach of the average commercial operator.
They cited this as a major reason why many of them had pitched their tents at bus-stops, under the bridges and road sides, especially at night when law enforcement agents must have closed for the day.
In most cases, trading activities commence around 7pm and extend till midnight depending on the location and the goods involved.
At Iyana-Ipaja, Cele-Expressway, Ojota, Ojodu Berger, Ikotun and Agbado-Ijaye, to mention just a few, commuters and motorists now experience a tough time at night as traders have taken over the roads.
When business is in full bloom, traders will be seen and heard shouting at the top of their voices or ringing bells to attract attention to their wares.
Some traders lamented the fact that shops built and owned by government are no longer affordable to many of them, especially the low capital operators.
Some shops that belong to this expensive category out of the reach of most traders include Tejuoso market, Wahab Folawiyo Shopping Mall, Suru/Alaba, Falomo Shopping Complex and the Adeniran Ogunsanya Shopping Complex.
These shops are believed to have been acquired by the privileged rich and sub-let to the traders who can afford the exorbitant rents.
Some of the ultra modern shops attract a minimum of N5 million, depending on the size, while bidders are asked to pay the sum in the bank.
Some traders who bared their minds on the development said these shops were contracted to concessionaires who in turn imposed high acquisition costs on them not minding the status of the traders.
“Before the demolition of Tejuoso Market, the prices of the shops were affordable to many of us; but with the latest development, it has gone beyond the reach of the common trader,’’ said Mrs Chinwe Ofala.
Another trader, Mr Okafor Paul, who hawks confectioneries, said he collects his wares on credit and pays back after sales. “When will I make such a huge amount of money to get a shop? Do they expect me to go into robbery to raise the money?’’ he queried.
Another petty trader at Orile-Agege, Madam Gloria Adiyele, said she had been managing her trading business using a small table in front of her apartment.
She also lamented government’s insensitivity, saying many traders were being denied the opportunity to own a shop. “Why must we suffer in the midst of plenty? The rich ones have used their connections to acquire these shops and there is nothing anybody can do,’’ she lamented.
Olabisi Idris, another trader, said government had good intention but lacked monitoring and distributive planning which had rendered its intentions meaningless since the hope of the common man of owning a shop had been dashed.
“When the Oshodi Shopping Complex was advertised, three of us pooled a total of N150,000 to rent a shop, but we were asked to pay a non-refundable fee of N100,000 after which a sum of N2 million should be paid into the bank and none of us could afford it till date,” he said.
Some of these traders said night trading, though risky, was less rigorous compared with day time business. “We are free from embarrassment of law enforcement agents, landlords or building contractors, though we pay a token to area boys,’’ chorused Abibat Sekoni and Chukwus Ewenrindo.