Following the fencing off of the challenge trade area, the Kwara State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party has resorted to a barrage of criticisms aimed at the current administration’s decision to fence the places. Predictably, they have framed this necessary reform as an attack on the livelihood of traders, all while conveniently ignoring the broader context and the genuine intentions behind this move. Let’s be clear: this is not about stifling commerce or punishing traders. It’s about ensuring public safety, fostering urban renewal, and providing a more organized trading environment that benefits everyone.
Urban Renewal vs. Political Rhetoric
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s administration has been steadfast in its commitment to urban renewal. The decision to fence trade area areas, particularly in strategic locations such as the Post Office/Unity axis, is part of a broader effort to modernize the city and prevent the spread of trading activities onto the road. This reform is not arbitrary; it is a thoughtful, well-planned action aimed at improving the quality of life for all Kwarans.
The PDP’s criticism, however, reeks of political opportunism. During their time in power, urban planning and development were glaringly absent. Now, rather than supporting meaningful reforms, they are clinging to a status quo that no longer serves the people. Their rhetoric is designed to stir emotions and create divisions, but it lacks substance and foresight.
One of the primary reasons for fencing the trade areaareas is safety. Allowing traders to extend their activities onto the road poses a significant risk to both the traders and the general public. The chaos of unregulated roadside trading increases the likelihood of accidents, endangers lives, and disrupts traffic flow. Governor AbdulRazaq’s administration is not willing to gamble with the safety of its citizens for political convenience.
By confining trading activities within designated areas, the government ensures a safer, more organized environment for everyone. This decision is not anti-trader—it is pro-safety, pro-organization, and ultimately, pro-progress. The traders are being provided with secure spaces where they can continue their businesses without the looming dangers of the expressway.
What the PDP calls draconian economic strangulation is simply keeping citizens safe but how will they have a news story in their name if they don’t go to town with political rhetoric dressed in the garb of sharp-spoken English?
Critics may argue that fencing the trade areas is disruptive, but the reality is that the land is a G-item in urban planning law. It is strictly meant for railway. The traders were there illegally in the first place. The protective fence is the cheapest option for the traders, it is also the least painful option available. The government could have opted for outright demolition, which would have been far more drastic and would have caused significant hardship for the traders. Instead, an agreeable solution was reached, balancing the need for order and safety with the traders’ right to earn a living.
The two wide and spacious entrances provided at the post office and unity road ends are more than adequate for access to the trade area complex. The notion that multiple entrances must be maintained, allowing trading activities to spill back onto the expressway, is both impractical and regressive. This suggestion, championed by the PDP, is a clear case of status quo bias—a resistance to change simply because it’s different from what people are used to. Change is often met with resistance, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t necessary or beneficial.
Keeping the status quo is not beneficial
As humans, we always want to stay with the familiar, but the familiar, the status quo has never befitted anyone. Lagos is a good example; Lagosians used to dread visiting Oshodi, nothing changed until an administration came along and decided to rewrite the story. it s the same everywhere: Nothing changes until an administration comes along and puts political sentiment aside and rewrite the story.
What would Kwara PDP know about that though? They have always placed political expediency over real developmental work. Kwarans must reject this type of leadership that is all bark and no bite, change is painful but it is beneficial in the long run.
A Secure and Organized Trading Environment
The administration understands the importance of commerce and the role traders play in the local economy. The reforms are not designed to hinder their operations but to enhance them. By creating a secure and organized trading environment, the government is laying the foundation for a more prosperous and sustainable trade area system.
Traders will still have access to their customers and the facilities they need to thrive. The difference is that their businesses will now operate in a more orderly and safer setting. This change will not only benefit the traders but also the general public, who will experience less congestion and safer roads.
It is ironic that the PDP, which failed to implement any significant urban development projects during their time in power, is now positioning itself as the defender of traders. Their sudden concern for the welfare of traders is a thinly veiled attempt to score political points. Where was this concern when they had the opportunity to make meaningful changes? Their criticisms are not rooted in genuine care for the people but in a desperate bid to remain relevant.
Governor AbdulRazaq’s administration has consistently shown that it is committed to the welfare of all Kwarans, including traders. The decision to fence the trade areas is just one example of the many reforms aimed at improving the state. The PDP’s attempts to undermine these efforts are not only baseless but also counterproductive.
In the end
Urban renewal goes beyond aesthetics; it is about creating a safer, more functional city for everyone. Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s decision to fence trade area areas is a step in the right direction. It is a balanced approach that considers the needs of the traders while prioritizing public safety and order.
The PDP’s criticisms should be seen for what they are—political posturing devoid of any real solutions or vision. The people of Kwara deserve better than to be subjected to the same tired rhetoric from a party that failed to deliver when they had the chance. Governor AbdulRazaq’s administration is focused on real progress, and the people of Kwara are already reaping the benefits.Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s administration is committed to building a better Kwara, and no amount of political grandstanding will derail this mission.
Assured of safety, Kwarans will go in and shop to their heart’s content. That is how this will go down. By Comrade Yahaya Muyideen Anifowoshe. Anifowoshe writes from Ilorin West
