Frontline activist and cleric, Rev. Dr. Sokari Soberekon has called for the establishment of a State Market Management Board (RSMMB) for the management of the various markets in the state.
He said the creation of the board will enhance effective management and development of markets in all 23 local government areas in the state.
The ‘Senior Advocate of the Niger Delta (SAND)’ who made the call while speaking to journalists in Port Harcourt on Monday, also wants the establishment of the board backed by relevant laws.
Sokari, renowned for his roles in the establishment of the Oil Derivation Formula in the regime of late Shehu Shagari in 1981, said, “Creating the RSMMB and appointing capable hands to oversee it will result in effective and efficient administration and management of the markets that will bring more development to the state and creation of jobs to the ever increasing population of the state”.
Often described as an ‘ordinary man doing extraordinary things, agitator and emancipator, Sokari appealed to the Rivers State governor to allocate the new Mile 1 Market to the various local governments in the state through the proposed RSMMB while the old one should be allocated to Port Harcourt City Local Government.
He also pleaded with the governor to reactivate the old River State Main Market in Aggrey/Harbour Road around the Police Children School, and hand it over to the board when established, for proper management.
The Police Children School should be relocated to a larger space, he suggested, adding that rebuilding the Rivers State Old Market would reduce hawking and street trading in the area.
Among other recommendations made by the cleric who oversees the Christ Jesus Link Gospel Ministry, Port Harcourt was, renaming of the Rivers State Cultural Centre at Bonny Street to Rex Lawson Cultural Centre, to be managed by the Rivers State Arts and Culture.
“Our Governor should also lobby for the handing over of the board of the NDDC to the traditional rulers since it was their effort that led to the setting up of the Willink Commission that recommended the creation of special board for the development of the Niger Delta.
“It should not be left in the hands of politicians who don’t know how the NDDC came to being”, he submitted.
He also advised the governor to look into land grabbing in the state by individuals and the Nigerian Police Force in the state, stressing that the Police Force is to fight crime and not to grab land.
