Time for BRF to call his boys to order

PAUL ARHEWE

It is baffling that it is only in countries like ours that policies are implemented without recourse to setting up standby measures to alleviate the suffering of those to be affected in the adopted action-plan.

On many occasions, one sees market shanties destroyed, roadside traders chased around, houses demolished, in cosmopolitan cities in the name of modernising and attaining a mega metropolitan status. The poor and hapless downtrodden in society are most times affected by some of these government policies. What complicates issues is when no alternative is readily provided before implementing those action plans. A scenario I witnessed at Leventis bus stop in Marina, Lagos state last week makes me to ponder, and I asked myself “Why are the already traumatised people in our society sometimes at the receiving end of government’s browbeating in the name of policy implementation?”

Last week, on my way to office, I saw some men and women scampering recklessly into the ever-busy CMS express road with their wares in their hands. Wondering what must have prompted this dangerous action, I curiously walked closer and saw officials of the Central Business District (CBD) of Lagos state and LASTMA running after traders confiscating their wares. Some of those whose wares were seized gazed, looking miserable, most of them shedding tears. One could see the anxiety and hapless situation these young men are relegated to; as if the whole world has suddenly crumbled on them.