By Kidega Livingstone
Authorities of Juba County, Central Equatoria State, have expelled vendors from the street of Kubri Habuba Market under Luri Payam.
This action was taken after a hundred vendors, most of whom were women selling vegetables and produce, took up space on the street, which made it difficult for road users and drivers to access the road.
Director of Public Order of Juba County, Robert Rafael, explained that the removal of the vendors from the roadside followed a local order from the Commissioner of Juba County.
“We don’t want anyone to sell vegetables at the roadside because the commissioner came with the local order banning selling any commodities at the roadside. Anybody who wants to sell her or his vegetable should enter the main market to sell the vegetable or produce,” he warned the vendors on Monday.
“If we came here and got anybody selling along this street, we shall pour his or her commodities or we shall take them where it is supposed to be taken.”
He revealed that the road is used by high-ranking government officials and by large vehicles that frequently pass through the same street.
This situation can lead to accidents for many vendors who sell their goods at the roadside.
“Anybody who did not abide by the order he or she will be taken to the police and will be fine. We did not come here to arrest anybody today, but tomorrow (Tuesday) we shall arrest anybody who has come to sell vegetables or anything here,” Robert warned.
He expressed that some women are complaining about the death of their husbands so that they can be allowed to sell their commodities at the roadside.
“We don’t want to hear that my husband died or I am looking after children; there is nothing people are selling on the road. There are places where you can go and sell your commodities inside the market, but some of you come at the roadside so that your commodities can get finished very fast, he expressed.
Brig. Zakayo Ladu Loro, the Chief of Police for Juba County, stated that the authorities prohibited vendors from selling their goods outside the market because it generated little income for school fees and food. However, they were permitted to sell their goods within the market.
“I know what you are selling is to help children both for school fees and food at home, but this is very risky for the mother because, in case of an accident, things will not be okay from their side as women,” he said.
“This market is inside there, and it’s very empty; there is nothing that can be sold at the roadside. Now all you have are the shops here in this market. Anybody who comes at the roadside we shall fine him or her.”