Despite a recent directive by the Rivers State government stopping street trading in some major streets in Port-Harcourt, those engaged in street trading are going on with their businesses unabated.
Reports have it that mechanic workshops and illegal motor parks are still operating without let.
Speaking to our reporter, traders and mechanics called on the state government to provide alternative places for them to do their business before dislodging them.
One of the traders who didn’t want his name in print said: “Not that we enjoy staying on the roadside, especially because of the various accidents that occur, but for the fact that we are told to leave, the government should provide a market place for us. This is our only means of earning a living, so the government should get us a place before asking us to vacate the roadside”.
A 21-day ultimatum issued by the Rivers State government for those trading along the streets to quit expired on Monday, July 22, 2019.
Reports say there has been some level of compliance from street traders along Aba Road, Bishop Okoye Street and some other streets.
A bill to end street trading, illegal market and motor parks in Rivers State has scaled through first reading on the floor of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
The Bill is known as “Rivers State Street Trading, Illegal Market and Motor Park Prohibition Bill, 2019”.
The Speaker of House of Assembly, Ikuinyi Ibani said: “The Bill is designed to prohibit all forms of street trading, illegal markets and motor parks in Rivers State in order to ensure sanity in our State”.
