The Restoration of sanity in Jos City, after the twin bomb blasts on May 20, which affected the central business area, has become a major challenge for the Plateau State government as well as traders whose business premises have been under lock and key.
The Government in its quest to ensure safety and promote peace within the city centre has placed a ban on street trading, operation of illegal motor parks and indiscriminate parking of vehicles along major streets in Jos City Center as well as demolition of some shops in the business area.
According to an eyewitness report, after the twin blasts at the popular Terminus Market, in the business area of the state capital, business activities have been on the low as the road leading to the market has been closed while shops within the affected areas were shut by security operatives under the instruction of the State government.
Ban On Street Trading
With the closure of a section of the market, which has made it impossible for several traders not having access to their shops, the streets became another avenue to trade their wares.
Particularly, the Ahmadu Bello way area of the city capital has been turned into a market place as traders display their wares on the major road, taking over part of the main road which also portend danger to both traders and buyers.
Some of the traders, who realised the dangers of selling on the streets, explained why they continued to put their lives in danger.
Over 30 shops have been under lock and key since the bomb blast occurred and it has been tales of woes and lamentations by the traders who cannot gain access to their shops for business.
The Plateau State government on its part announced the ban on street trading and demolition of some shops affected by the bomb blast as measures to bring sanity in the affected areas while alternative markets have been provided for traders at different locations across the state capital.
As long as the government continues to close the market and shops without taking definite steps in enforcing the orders, traders will continue to congest the major roads which invariably exposes them to danger and possible target for insurgents.
