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Street trading, which for two years was stopped within Onitsha metropolis, has re-surfaced with the approach of Christmas, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.
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A NAN correspondent, who went round the commercial city on Monday, observed that the trend had led to traffic build-up in the trading areas.
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At the junction between Owerri-Onitsha road and Enugu-Onitsha road by Ogbaru Main Market, yam sellers numbering about 60 had taken over the triangle created by the junction.
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In Uga Street, iron rod and iron sheet dealers had covered the street and made the road dangerous for pedestrians and motorists.
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At MCC bus-stop, fruit sellers have occupied the service lane of the Enugu-Onitsha road; while traders of clothes and foot wear have taken over Zik Avenue, Fegge.
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Mr Chidi Onyema, a roadside trader at Zik Avenue, said that his stay on the road was temporary; adding that after Christmas sales he and some of his friends on the road would go back to their shops.
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“This is the only way to survive the struggle for customers and make some money during this Christmas season, especially for those of us whose shops are located inside the Ochanja Market,’’ Onyema said.
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Meanwhile, attempts to get Chief Sylvester Nwaobualor, Special Adviser to Gov. Peter Obi on Parks and Markets, failed as his cell-phone rang severally without response.
NAN learnt that the special task force for road de-congestion in markets had been stopped from operation by the state government.?