An Appraisal of Informal Commercial Activities in Osogbo, Osun State Nigeria

Abstract

This study appraises the characteristics and respondents‟ perception of the environmental effects of informal commercial activities; as well as the efforts made by government to manage informal commercial activities in Osogbo. The study utilized questionnaire administration in areas with significant informal activities using random sampling technique. A total of 102 and 182 at 10% were chosen from a total of 1,020 and 1,815 identified residents and informal commercial operators respectively. Frequency and percentages as well as correlation analysis were used to analyze the data collected. The study reveals that trading accounted for the highest informal commercial activities (62.96%) while exposure to severe weather (29.01%) were what respondents considered the riskiest encounter. Waste generation (3.7) was the highest ranked factor that negatively impacted on the environment while O-Traffic which ranked (3.3) was the most effective tool in the management of informal commercial activities. Finding from correlation analysis (r=-0.5, p=0.040) indicated that there is moderate negative significant relationship between perceptions of the environmental effects of informal commercial activities and effectiveness of efforts made by government to manage informal commercial activities at p<0.05 confidence level. The study concludes by recommending that informal operators should be recognized and integrated into the city’s main stream planned commercial activities.

Factors influencing road setbacks and urban open space encroachment by traders in Nigeria: A narrative review

“…while [9] put it that the most frequent sorts of urban encroachments in cities, according to this definition, are the unlawful expansion of slums or mushrooming development along various patterns of roadways, as well as hawker activities along pedestrian pathways, walkways, main carriageways, and roadside areas. According to [3], the term "informal sector" or "informality" is used to describe a variety of factors, including lack of regulation, small scale, and completion. In addition, he said that not just in Nigeria but also in several other developing nations, the capacity of the informal sector economy to absorb a large number of jobless people into the labour force has created a substantial challenge to urban land use planning and management.…”

“…[2] noted that those living in slums and those subjected to natural catastrophes or severe urbanization from rural settings rely on the informal sector (which includes unpaid employees in family companies, casual wage jobs, home-based workers or service providers, and street vendors) to survive. Whereas according to [3] the term "informal sector," often referred to as "grey economy," "shadow economy," "informality," or "informal economy," designates a group of livelihoodgenerating activities, services, or social behaviours that are mostly unregulated or uncontrolled by the government or official institutions. Consequently, [4] shows that the informal sector is expanding as a result of the hapless people who lose their jobs or are unable to find employment in the official sector.…”