Tina Amanda
In spite of the directives given by the Rivers state government for markets to remain shut down in order to avoid the spread of CoronaVirus, some traders in Mile 3 market, in Port Harcourt local government area persisted in carrying out their trade.
According to report the traders came as early as 4:am to trade before the arrival of security officers by 6: am, who came to dispatch them with force.
Our correspondent Tina Amanda observed that non-compliance of the directive also applied to traders in Big tree Market along Iwofe road, Rumuolumeni and Choba Market in Obio/Akpor local government area, as security personnel were seen chasing the traders away.
Some of the traders and customers who spoke to our correspondent said government decision to shut down main markets is the best, but however pleaded that the street shops should be allowed to operate.
They further stressed that if measures are not put in place to review the market shut down, people in the state will soon start dying of hunger.
They however expressed worries that the poor traders in the state who depend on daily income to feed their family will be greatly affected by the market closure.
They urged the government to provide some palliative measures to assist the public
