Abia state government, has announced that it would implement stringent measures to curb the persistent menace of street trading in Aba and other parts of the state.
The Commissioner for Information and Culture, Prince Okey Kanu disclosed this while briefing Journalists on the outcome of this week’s Executive Council Meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti.
Prince Kanu who expressed government’s determination to address the persistent menace of street trading, emphasized that it is necessary to preserve the newly constructed roads that have become hotspots for unauthorized commercial activities.
He noted that despite numerous efforts and dialogues between government officials, market authorities, and traders, the issue has remained unabated, adding that the menace of street trading threatens the integrity of recently constructed roads.
“Street Trading has become a real menace in Aba.Government has tried to address this menace to no avail. With all efforts the government has made, this menace keeps rearing up it’s ugly head. Incidentally must of the new roads that government has constructed, people use them to trade and this would not go well for these new roads.
“There has been a lot of interface between government officials and the market authorities and in other instances with the culprits hoping they will turn a new leaf. Everything has been done and yet they(traders) keep going back.
“Despite governments compassionate stance, and the fact that this government puts a human face to it’s activities, the law is the law so by the new year, government will go all out to enforce the no trading law on our roads”,Kanu affirmed.
Prince Kanu highlighted key areas affected by street trading to include Jubilee Road, Cemetery Road, and Ngwa Road and added that the roads, have often been obstructed, causing inconvenience for both pedestrians and motorists.
The Commissioner expressed the government’s determination to keep us promise of ensuring that one carriage way of the Ossah-Okpara Square road and as well as the Aba-Portharcourt road would be completed for use by motorists this Yuletide.
Kanu who disclosed that the Otti led administration is sustaining its various road rehabilitations across the State,noted that so far 27 roads including Jubilee Road, Aba has been fixed and would be commissioned soon.
He emphasized that the present administration is committed to making good it’s promise of defraying all arrears of pensions owed pensioners by previous administration.
“As a responsive and responsible government, this administration will keep to its promise. The Governor, Dr. Alex Otti will keep to his promises of paying off all the outstanding pension arrears.
“This is a government that has always kept to its promise. In the coming days we will be able to avail you information in that regard”.
The Commissioner revealed that the State government has installed over 1,700 Solar powered Street lights in Aba and Umuahia, adding that the move is in line with the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions and a step-up to full renewable energy policy in the State.
Contributing, the Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities, Engr. Ikechukwu Monday stated that the “Light Up Abia Initiative”, aimed at lighting Streets with solar light has commenced with Umuahia and Aba adding that more communities across the state would benefit from the initiative.
“We started with Umuahia first, now we have moved to Aba. So, next year, we will also be moving to other communities.
“This is line with the mandate given by His Excellency in his manifesto to encourage energy saving and environmental friendly initiative. So this project will continue.
“We want to make sure that every Street and every village in Abia is lightened up. We are also replacing the conventional street lights
with solar”,Engr Monday stated.