The task force on street trading, illegal market, and motor parks set up by the Rivers State Government is expected to commence work today.
Governor Nyesom Wike announced this over the weekend during the inauguration of members of the task force.
The Governor warned the task force operatives against extorting money from street traders and mechanics. He said any operatives indicted with bribe taking will be sacked and replaced.
” we are not sending you to the street to go and start taking money from traders on the road or mechanics. If I find out any problem in a particular zone, I will dissolved that zone ”
In the main time, the Rivers State task force and illegal street trading and motor parks is seeking collaboration of all residents in Rivers state particularly those doing business in the state so as to ensure the success of their duties. The chairman of the task force Bright Omowule made the appeal after church service at the St Andrews Anglican church Rumuola. Bright Omowule explained that the mandate of the task force is to dislodge street traders, and operators of illegal motor parks, mainly in the five Local Government Areas as maintained by the State Government.
The chairman of the task force Bright Omowule who spoke to our reporters assures the public that the task force will not inflict pains on the public as TIMARIV did. He assures that personnel of the task force will be civil in the discharge of their duties.
” the name of this task force does not in any way implies that it is going to do same work as TIMARIV. The task force is meant to correct the already created illegal motor parks in the state, already created illegal market in the state and street trading in the state. Which means we are working just at strategic zones, and not going around the market, and peoples offices to impound their vehicles that they parked wrongly. Our duty has nothing to do with wrong parking ” he stated.
And as the task force on street trading and illegal market and motor parks commenced today, some members of the Civil Society Organization in Rivers State have wondered why government have not provided alternative for street traders. Member of the Civil Society Organization Enefa Georgewill told our reporters that banished street trading will increase the issue of unemployment in the State.
” the Rivers State Civil Society Organization wishes to commend the Rivers State Government on this initiative to return the State to its garden city, starting by removing street traders and unlawful parks. The CSO however disagree with the laid procedures and timing of this policy as it amounts to putting the cat before the horse. Our own reasons are as follows, street trading and illegal parking is one of the major source of income for Rivers people and any attempt to shut it down without alternative will geometrically add to army of unemployed, thereby adding to insecurity ”
Enefa Georgewill also called on Rivers State Government to build 20 new market in order to address the issue of street trading.
” we therefore ask the Rivers State Government to call on the Ministry of Transport to immediately mobilize to site, and mark clear cut parking spaces and bus stops for drivers. 80% of current market were built in the military era, More than 20 years ago. We therefore call on the Rivers State Government to build 20 new, night and day market in the State, to accommodate these traders” he said.
