The Port Harcourt City Local Government Council has announced a ban on street trading and unauthorised transport operations across major roads and junctions within the city.
The Mayor of Port Harcourt City, Allwell Ihunda, issued the directive while raising concerns over increasing roadside trading and illegal motor park activities that he said were obstructing traffic and affecting the city’s environment.
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According to Ihunda, the council has observed that traders, transport operators, and other business activities carried out along road shoulders and public spaces have continued to disrupt the free flow of traffic, degrade the environment, and create security risks.
He therefore ordered an immediate end to roadside trading, unauthorised motor parks, mechanic activities, loading and offloading of goods on road shoulders, and the indiscriminate display of goods along major roads.
The mayor also directed that no individual or business should erect structures, barriers, or display goods within two metres of any public road or drainage channel within the city.
He warned that violators would face enforcement measures, including demolition of illegal structures, confiscation of goods, closure of affected premises, arrest, and prosecution in accordance with the council’s bye-laws and relevant laws of Rivers State.
To ensure compliance, Ihunda said the council’s Task Force on Traffic Decongestion and Environmental Sanitation has been activated to begin monitoring and enforcement operations across the city.
He added that the move is part of efforts to restore order, improve traffic flow, enhance public safety, and preserve Port Harcourt’s reputation as the Garden City.
