Moves by Lagos Câmara to build 20 kiosks on the pavement of the Avenida have been met with furious opposition from residents. Within hours of work beginning on the town’s main avenue, a Facebook campaign had been set up with an online petition.
Residents first noticed a row of white tents on steel poles at the end of May which prompted concern across Lagos. The organisers of the petition are appealing for as many signatures as possible to spark a discussion with the Câmara which they hope will see the decision to build the kiosks reversed.
Lagos Câmara speedily put out an official communiqué explaining the rationale behind the constructions. It is seen as a response to the long-standing problem of unauthorised selling of goods on the streets of the historic centre. “It is a difficult issue to resolve ... It is necessary to reconcile all interests involved; those of vendors, local businesses and the general population,” Joaquina Matos, President of the Câmara said. The decision was taken two years ago by the former executive, together with vendors, for twenty five kiosks to be constructed on the Avenida to accommodate ambulant trade during the holiday season. The initiative will be evaluated at the end of October by vendors, the DOCAPESCA organisation overseeing the space, Lagos Trade Associations and other interested parties.
While many protesters acknowledge the necessity for creating space for traders, they are also concerned about the disfiguring of an iconic area of Lagos, popular with tourists and locals alike.
Residents first noticed a row of white tents on steel poles at the end of May which prompted concern across Lagos. The organisers of the petition are appealing for as many signatures as possible to spark a discussion with the Câmara which they hope will see the decision to build the kiosks reversed.
Lagos Câmara speedily put out an official communiqué explaining the rationale behind the constructions. It is seen as a response to the long-standing problem of unauthorised selling of goods on the streets of the historic centre. “It is a difficult issue to resolve ... It is necessary to reconcile all interests involved; those of vendors, local businesses and the general population,” Joaquina Matos, President of the Câmara said. The decision was taken two years ago by the former executive, together with vendors, for twenty five kiosks to be constructed on the Avenida to accommodate ambulant trade during the holiday season. The initiative will be evaluated at the end of October by vendors, the DOCAPESCA organisation overseeing the space, Lagos Trade Associations and other interested parties.
While many protesters acknowledge the necessity for creating space for traders, they are also concerned about the disfiguring of an iconic area of Lagos, popular with tourists and locals alike.