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Traders and hawkers in Freetown’s busy Sani Abacha Street have refused to honour a request made by the police to desist from street trading.
On Thursday morning, troops of police stormed the busy street cum market to stop the traders from hawking on the streets.
In response, the traders vowed to protest while stopping shop owners from opening their stores.
“We were urged to close our shops by the hawkers.
“They threatened to loot if we refuse to close,” Jorgor Barrie, a shopkeeper said.
Almost all shops and stores in the busy street remain closed as heavy police presence is now at the scene.
Assistant Police Commissioner Senesie, addressing the hawkers, urged them to be law-abiding and respectful. He pleaded with them to refrain from any violence.
One of the hawkers informed Sierraloaded that the move to stop them from hawking on the street is unfriendly to them.
“Some of us are single parents and this is how we fend for our families,” the young lady said.
Similar standoff between police and hawkers in the street have previously occurred with the most recent being the August 10 protest.
Only hope and pray it will not result into another stuff
Police should not stop the hawkers in selling because they have been there for so many years in finding their living.
I want to advise the government and security agents of the state. It’s no secret that the Abacha traders are supporters of the main opposition Apc, and they still can’t face the reality that they lost the election to SLPP, which is questionable to them. And the reality is that the economic status is not friendly to its citizens. So if government is longing for national inclusion and stability , they should not provoke any condition that will create tension. Remember, we are in post election conflict. To keep the peace, the security sectors should be more professional in handling national issues. For now, any little tension may escalate to something serious, take it or leave it. Some only need slight opportunities please don’t dish it out to them, for peace. Land that we love, sierra Leone.
The law should be enforce, street trading is illegal.
SLP stop the bullying of our people. You are employed to provide security and protect us not to intimidate us. Stop being one sided. LONTA.
Salone man lawless
Sierra Leoneans should be law abiding and dare not to confront the law.
On to the government on the other side, this is not the appropriate time for such move to be taken amidst this moment of diverse economic challenges in our country.
Yes you need to work for you citizens as the constitution demands but please do it chronologically.
The government promised to finish the market building near Amusement park for the traders so they all can transfer there but up until now that market building is not finish and there’s no work going on there. It’s over 7yrs now, no improvement on that building. So I don’t blame the hawkers for their refusal to leave Abacha Street.
Let Government relocate them some where around Victoria Park .. Main While let the law take it course yaa
The city mayor should take note