By Our Staff Reporter

The government has temporarily suspended the enforcement of a recently implemented trade order following growing criticism from traders and key stakeholders across the country.

The directive, which had triggered widespread operations to remove roadside vendors, kiosks, and container shops from ungazetted trading spaces, faced immediate backlash due to its abrupt implementation. Enforcement teams had begun clearing streets, walkways, and urban centers, leaving many small-scale traders without a source of income.

Traders and business owners expressed frustration, arguing that the exercise was carried out without adequate consultation or notice. Some claimed that even licensed businesses were affected, raising concerns over the fairness and coordination of the enforcement process.

Leaders of small and medium enterprises, along with local authorities, warned that the move risked worsening unemployment, particularly among youth and women who dominate the informal sector. They also highlighted the lack of designated alternative trading areas for those displaced.

In response to the mounting pressure, government officials announced a halt to the enforcement exercise to allow for further consultations and a review of the directive’s implementation.

Authorities maintain that the trade order itself has not been scrapped but emphasized the need to ensure a more structured and inclusive approach moving forward.

The suspension is expected to provide temporary relief to affected traders as discussions continue on how best to balance urban order and economic livelihoods.