Following the Rivers state government’s law to end illegal roadside trading on major roads in Port Harcourt, Most street traders have been sacked off the road.
These include Slaughter, Mile one,Woji,Rumuokoro and other areas in the state.
Also, the newly built ultra modern market and park at the Rumuokoro axis of Port Harcourt has been opened and over one thousand traders have had the opportunity of collecting their slots in order to get spaces in the market.
In an interview with some of the traders, they expressed profound happiness that they can finally leave the road and have their own personal stalls which would be more secured for them.
“This is a major achievement on the part of the state government, because selling by the roadside or even in the market is not totally safe for us.
” Because most times,we have to close early because of the louts around the area to avoid getting robbed.
“We are very glad, and willing to pay for the lock up shops and stalls the state government have provided, we know that no matter what, it won’t be as expensive as shops built by private individuals”
Meanwhile some traders expressed displeasure that they have to leave the streets/roads.
” We don’t have money to pay for stalls or any space, they just want to extort money from us, that is why they won’t let us manage where we are.
“We are not blocking the road,we are just selling by the road side, besides, we pay for these spaces still, they are not free, we still settle the Obio/Akpor local government council. It’s not fair”
