Your Allegation Has No Bearing – Mayor
The task force set up by the Rivers State Government to enforce the removal of streets traders and illegal motor parks in five Local Government areas (LGA) which includes Port Harcourt, Obi/Akpor. Eleme, Oyigbo and Ikwerre have accused illegal task force from Port Harcourt and Obi/Akpor of sabotaging their efforts.
Bright Amaewhule State coordinator of the task force pointed accusing fingers at the two LGAs after some officials of the task force were attacked at Rumuokoro and Odili road last Thursday.
He also accused the Police Officers stationed at Ikoku junction in Ikwerre road Port Harcourt of aiding taxi and bus drivers to park indiscriminately there by obstructing free flow of traffic.
National Network gathered that the state task force came under heavy attack last week by ‘Agberos’ and hoodlums suspected to be working for some officials of some local Government in the state. Despite clarification by Bright Amaewhule that the state task force does not impound people’s vehicle, another set of task force was seen by our reporter impounding vehicles.
Meanwhile the Chairman of Port Harcourt local Government Hon. Victor Ihunwo area has denied the allegations.
In a statement made available to the press, Hon. Ihunwo explained that the allegations by Bright Amaewhule does not have any bearing since it was in his presence last week that the Chairman spoke to Community Development Committee (CDC) Chairmen, community heads, traders and National Union Of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) to support and cooperate with the state task force set by the Governor.
Hon. Victor Ihunwo stated that despite the success recorded by the local Government task force in clearing major junctions like Garrison, waterlines, Rumuola and other areas of illegal motor parks and street traders. He disbanded the LGA task force immediately the Governor set up the state task force.
Hon. Victor Ihunwo explained that those parading as PHALGA task force are impostors.
The spokesperson of Rivers State Police Command did not respond to text messages sent to him neither did he pick calls put across to him by our reporter on the allegations against the Police.
As at press time a mobile court constituted by the Rivers State Government are to begin the prosecution of offenders from September 2, 2019.
