By Bose Adelaja & Adetomiwa Adewoyin
CITIZENS COMPASS— Ogun State Government on Tuesday, said the ongoing enforcement against environmental infractions along Tollgate, Sango-Ota down to Joju in the Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government (AOLG) Area of the State subsists.
The state government said no recalcitrant traders would be allowed along the axis.
This was in response to several calls that some shop owners put through to our Correspondent, alleging that they have been deprived of access to their shops since yesterday.
A visit to the Sango-Toll gate down to Joju revealed that shops in the area were under lock and key, as the government had put a barricade in place to prevent commercial activities.
Many shop owners were seen perambulating the area claiming that the essence of locking the shops was not disclosed to them by the government.
One of the shop owners, Mr Adepegba Olowokere said that they received information that their market leaders were at a meeting with the state and local government whereas the outcome of the meeting was not revealed to them.
He was seen making calls to some people perceived to be customers asking them to reschedule their appointments with him.
Olowokere, who deals in dairy products around Oju-Oore, said this fresh enforcement began yesterday as no shop owners were allowed to open their shops. “Since yesterday, we have not been allowed to open shops. We don’t know how long this would take.” He said.
Another trader, Salewa Abolore, who deals in fabrics around Joju said she could not open the shop since yesterday.
According to her, “I have asked my workers to stay at home pending when everything would be resolved.”
Contrary to the traders’ claims, Citizens Compass reports that ample notices were given to shop owners and roadside traders in the axis that the era of roadside trading was over in the axis.
It was gathered that the step was taken by the state government to allow sanity in the area as both sides of the road have been taken over by recalcitrant roadside traders, a situation that has grossly affected transportation activities in the area as commercial buses have been picking and dropping passengers on the road.
It was learnt that the Sango-Ota Motor Garage meant for transport activities has been illegally allocated to traders thereby forcing motorists, tricyclists, and commercial motorcyclists to the roadside while pedestrian walkways have been illegally converted into trading spaces.
Citizens Compass reports that the axis has experienced fatal road crashes in recent times prompting both the state and local governments to commence investigations into the possible causes of the crashes only to find out that roadside activities played a major role and those constituting a nuisance were asked to relocate.
In the course of this report, Citizens Compass spoke with Alabi Sheriff, Chief Information and Public Relations Officer, AOLG, who said that the traders were duly informed about the enforcement.
He said that the AOLG Council Chairman, Lawal Adewale Wasiu, FCA, on Monday, March 23, 2026, led a delegation from the Ogun State Ministry of Environment on an inspection and sensitisation tour to the Tollgate and Sango-Ota Motor Garage ahead of a major enforcement which took place yesterday.
According to him, “As for the Sango motor park, the Kayero Market behind the Sango garage is the original market, but our people neglected the place and illegally occupied the garage for vehicles.
“The steps taken by the state government are to curb accidents that have become a menace in those areas.
“The Ogun State Ministry of Environment and Ado-odo/Ota Local Government has consistently issued warnings on illegal trading at Sango motor park that was designated for motor garage not illegal trading, trading, and hawkings both on the walkways and road sides.
“In actual fact, those places were locked up by the state government.”
Contacted, the Honourable Commissioner, Ogun State Ministry of Environment, Mr Ola Oresanya, said the government would not rescind its decision against environmental infractions in the axis. “What we are doing is to save lives and we have visited the axis to address traders, transporters, and other stakeholders.
“The original motor park in the area has been illegally converted to trading spaces and this has forced transporters to the roadside but the government is equal to the task.
“Those concerned should be ready to comply with the government’s directives to prevent frequent accidents in the area.”
At press time, efforts to speak with the various section leaders in the axis were unsuccessful.
