Newspaper Distributors, Vendors Cry Out Over Harassment By Road Decongestion Taskforce
Newspaper Distributors and Vendors in Port Harcourt, Rivers State have cried over the seizure of their newspapers and destruction of their stands amid bullying of their members by the taskforce set up by the state government to decongest the roads and streets of road traders, illegal markets and motor parks which commenced operations on Monday.
In a Save Our Soul (SOS) message to the State government through the publishers, the Chairman of the Elders Council of the Newspapers, Distributors Association of Nigeria (NDAN), Rivers State Chapter, Chief Ezekiel Ewoh, appealed to relevant authorities to come out clear on the fate of, and condition for the newspaper distributors and vendors vis-à-vis the terms of reference given to the roads decongestion taskforce considering the peculiar nature of the newspaper business.
According to Chief Ewoh, newspapers differ from ordinary commodities sold in the markets and as such require special consideration with regard to the roads decongestion law.
The clarification, Elder Ewoh noted, became necessary so that the taskforce will be adequately enlightened on their targets and stop using their mandate as an open cheque to hit at groups not in their checklist.
Chief Ewoh said as stakeholders in information management and public enlightenment which are cardinal to Governor Wike administration, they deserve some measure of regard by directing them on what to do in the face of the new law, stressing they will be willing as partners in progress to key into the programme rather than being left at the mercy of a taskforce.
