………As the state of emergency on sanitation fails
After the expiration of the ultimatum given to streets traders by the Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, to vacate the streets of Port Harcourt, streets traders seem not to have caught the drift.
Checks by theportcitynews revealed that business by streets traders is growing with more traders occupying different locations, forcing traffic congestion along major roads.
From Rumuola to Rumuokoro, Waterlines, Garrison, Artillery, Oil Mill, Mile 1, 3 and 4, Borokiri, the business is moving like never before.
Also, the state of emergency declared on sanitation by the governor seem not to have yielded any result as piles of dirt still litter the streets of Port Harcourt, especially the road medians.
Wike had on Friday, the 31st of June issued a one-month ultimatum to roadside mechanics, roadside car dealers, street traders and private taxi park operators, to vacate the streets of Port Harcourt.
He told roadside mechanics, roadside car dealers, street traders and private taxi park operators at the Government House Port Harcourt during the stakeholder meeting that the artisans and traders must comply with the stipulated period because his administration is committed to the restoration of the Garden City status of Port Harcourt.
Wike said: “I am giving all groups one month to leave the roads. Within this one month, you should find alternative locations to carry out your businesses.
“By the first week of July, the State Government will swing into action. Port Harcourt must be clean, whether you like it or not”.
Governor Wike said that he called the meeting to avoid unnecessary conflict and to negotiate the time for all the traders, mechanics and car dealers to leave the roads.
“We have called this meeting to avoid conflict. I called you to discuss the time frame for the implementation and not to change the decision.
“Our roads are now mechanic Workshops. Our roads are now markets and motor parks. There is this spirit that makes the traders and mechanics believe that you can only make money on the road. We will end that spirit.
“Your activities litter the road. There will be consequences for mechanics using the road for their trade after the one month period. The vehicles being repaired will be seized “, he said.
We don’t know where to go
Some of the street traders who spoke to theportcitynews said that the cost paying for shops in the markets is too expensive.
They said that if the government chases them off the streets, they will not have anywhere to go to, stressing that their dependents will go hungry.
Others said that removing them from the streets will force them into vices.
They begged Governor Wike to help them by making sure that the cost of getting shops in the market is reduced and readily affordable.
