By ABUBAKAR YUSUF

The Onu Ankpa in Kogi State, Alhaji Abdulmalik Umar, has called on local and state governments to stop forthwith, trading along the roads and market corridors, saying that traders should use the markets and shops provided to avoid frequent death from road accidents.

The paramount ruler made his position known in his palace while recently condoling his subjects after the Tuesday, September 27 accident in which a fuel tanker fell and caught fire, leaving 20 people killed and property worth many millions of naira razed.

The monarch pointed out that the accident justified his position that Ankpa town is located in a sloppy environment.

He also appeal to other artisans like car wash operators and mechanics not to use the main road, Ankpa bridge or waterside for their activities, as the danger posed by their operation outweighs it’s advantages.

The royal father expressed grief on the lingering and saddening moment in the town, noting that it was death too many, coming on the heels of recent attacks by armed robbers.

Alhaji Abdulmalik Umar said that there were designated areas for all activities created by the local government over the decades, but his subjects negligence created dire consequences.

His words: “Why we are against road side trading, display of items outside the shops and other activities is that it obstructs free flow of traffics, of not only vehicular movements and articulated vehicles, but motorbikes and motorcycles that will portend serious danger to the lives of our people.

“If the basis of engaging in trading is for our survival, then why exposing ourselves to all sort of dangers to realize our economic aims.

“The nature of Ankpa town, from the entrance from Opulega to Owelle area and towards Ankpa Riverside through Eti-aja are all sloppy areas and therefore portends great dangers when people go about their legitimate business along the road corridors.”

The royal father maintained that heeding to his warnings and pieces advice, would reduce the high level of road carnages prevalent in Ankpa town.

He urged the people to be law abiding by moving into the market squares, operating within the perimeter of their shops, so as to allow free access to vehicular movements, saying this will reduce to the barest minimum, accidental occurrences.

He called both government and private sector to support in the campaigns to enable traders and artisans comply with the normal norm, rather than taking laws into their hands.

He commiserated with the people of his domain especially those that lost their loved ones, praying that Almighty God to continue to protect his people in their daily activities.