Socio-economic Impact of Street Trade in Jimeta- Yola Adamawa State, Nigeria

Abstract

This paper provides an overview of socio-economic impact of street trade in Jimeta-Yola. Research problem shows the indiscriminate street hawking in Jimeta-Yola leading to encroachment on right of way and traffic congestion. This occurs as vehicles and pedestrians cannot pass easily due to perpetual display of goods along road sides. The survey conducted among some 140 respondents randomly selected from 10% of the street vendors with the aid of stratified random sampling techniques. The vendors that squat along the major streets and open spaces around major markets and public places were selected as respondents. Data were obtained from the relevant respondents and establishments and the target population is 1,400 vendors. Ten percent of the target population is used as the sample size. Results show that inability of government to provide adequate utilities and spaces for street traders lead to road and drainage blockages. This study therefore recommends for a law regulating the distribution of street markets in Jimeta-Yola and provide sanctions to regulate the use of public spaces and roads to curb the nuisance.