Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George yesterday asked the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu to halt the harassment of traders by officials and security agents in the state.

In an open letter to the governor, George who is the Atona Oodua of Yorubaland stated that Lagos traders are not terrorists.

According to him, while Lagos is known as the Centre of Excellence, the traders “are not being treated ‘Excellently’ by some security agents and government officials daily.”

Daily Trust reports that due to the state environmental law which bans street trading, the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) officials often arrest and confiscate the wares of traders who display their wares on roadsides or those selling in traffic.

However, Bode George said, “Apart from lamenting the multiple levies they pay to councils and at the same time subjected to extortion most horrendously by some thugs and rough-necks, they are also harassed and flogged like criminals.”

The PDP leader stated that street trading has been part of the culture and tradition of Lagos for decades where he was born.

He pointed out that many professionals like lawyers, doctors, engineers, accountants and others were “financed educationally by what their parents made through street trading,” adding that in London, New York and other advanced cities, there is street trading.

“What authorities in those climes do is to regulate street trading, not to subject traders to despicable treatment,” he said.

In the letter, George noted that some traders and hawkers stay on the roadside where they pay government officials daily due to the harsh and hostile economy in the land as they cannot secure a shop for as high as N1m.

He said, “In the 21st Century, it is an act of wickedness for government officials to be treating street traders like bandits and terrorists in Lagos State.

“Where is our dignity? Why should officials subject them to harrowing experiences daily?

“They are not armed robbers and they should not be treated as such. It is despicable to treat street traders like terrorists. They are just trying to survive and Lagos is not the only place where we have street traders.”