CurrentReport Blog The Ekiti State Government has announced a six-month rent-free allocation of stalls and shops for itinerant and street traders at the Oja Oba main market, Agric-Olope, and Awedele markets. This initiative, aimed at curbing street trading and boosting commercial activities, was revealed by Mrs. Omotayo Adeola, the State Commissioner for Trade, Industry, Investment, and Cooperatives, during a simulcast in both Ekiti and parts of Ondo states.
The rent-free gesture is part of the state’s efforts to commemorate the second anniversary of Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s administration. It is also designed to fill vacant spaces in key markets and offer street traders a chance to transition into formal commercial spaces. The commissioner emphasized that the high cost of renting shops would no longer be a reason for engaging in street trading, as the government is now offering annual shop rentals with an initial six-month rent-free period, replacing the previous 15-year lease agreements that were often too costly for petty traders.
Adeola highlighted that traders will be responsible for utility bills, including electricity and sanitation services, to ensure proper market hygiene. She urged interested business owners to register and apply for space at the Oja Oba market management office, requiring only basic documentation such as their name, trade details, passport photograph, and National Identification Number (NIN).
The commissioner also warned that traders who already have shops in any of the markets are not eligible for this scheme. Additionally, unused or unutilized shops will be forfeited and reallocated to traders in need. She encouraged petty traders to collaborate and share shop spaces, depending on the size of their businesses.
To further enforce the transition away from street trading, Adeola announced that the government will strictly enforce the law prohibiting street trading once the shop allocation process is completed. She reiterated the state’s commitment to protecting traders and ensuring that market investments yield economic benefits, while also safeguarding street traders from potential accidents.
The Ekiti State Government also plans to stabilize food supply chains by mopping up excess agricultural produce during harvest seasons. This initiative will ensure affordable food prices year-round and will involve the government in every stage of the agricultural process, from providing farm inputs to facilitating the transportation of products from farms to consumers.
