News
28 Illegal Trading Posts For Demolition
The Rivers State Government says that it has identified 28 illegal trading posts in Port Harcourt City, and has since swung into action to demolish them as part of efforts to restore the Garden City status of the state capital, and promote clean environment for residents.
The state Commissioner for Urban Development and Physical Planning, Chinyere Igwe, who disclosed this in an exclusive interview with The Tide in Port Harcourt, pointed out that these illegal trading posts, including illegal motor parks, will not be allowed to function, stressing that the ministry was determined to remove them.
He said that as part of efforts to clear the streets of illegal traders and motor parks, including make-shift settlements and shanties in the state capital, the ministry’s task force on urban renewal was enforcing the ban on street trading in collaboration with the authorities of the Port Harcourt City and Obio/Akpor local government councils.
Igwe also said that the ministry has in its custody, a number of fake building plans, and advised those wishing to put up buildings and construction of any kind to approach the ministry for approval and permit.
The commissioner further disclosed plans by the government to enforce the law against street trading and hawking in Port Harcourt and its environs, and warned those involved to desist in their interest.
He warned against the proliferation of illegal motor parks, particularly at the Waterlines Junction, explaining that the government would soon swing in to crush the illegal structures, trading posts, and motor parks in the city, to restore confidence in the people, and revive the aesthetic character and value of the city of Port Harcourt.
Igwe listed some of the endemic areas to include, Mile 3, Mile 1 and Creek Road markets, Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST), Nkpolu, Back Gate-Eagle Island-Agip Bypass, Bende, Bishop Okoye, Sangana, Ojoto, and Illoabuchi streets, Education Bus Stop, Garrison, Rumuokwuta, Rumuola and Waterlines junctions, among others.
Also speaking, the Mayor of Port Harcourt City, Mr. Samuel Sunny Ejekwu said that the demolition exercise was in line with the vision of Governor Nyesom Wike to address the poor sanitary condition of Port Harcourt and its environs, and make the city the cleanest in the country.
Ejekwu said in an exclusive interview with The Tide in his office, that the proliferation of make-shift shops, illegal markets and motor parks was a dangerous trend that must be eliminated, if the city must regain its lost glory as the Garden City of Nigeria, stressing that it was in that light that his administration has also embarked on operation keep Port Harcourt clean.
He emphasized that the petty traders and illegal market operators had since been given notice to evacuate from their illegal trading locations on the roads and streets of Port Harcourt, but have refused to relocate, thereby constituting safety and security risks to other residents of the city.
The mayor said that most of the traders conduct their businesses on illegality, trading and selling on the streets, pedestrian ways of rights, and blocking access to vehicular traffic, adding that they were constituting nuisance on the roads by not only endangering their lives, but also causing traffic gridlocks in Port Harcourt City.
According to him: “There has never been an end to relocating this category of traders; I do know that what gave rise to the smaller markets around Port Harcourt is because some elements in the previous governments compromised on the city master plan and allowed the emergence of mini-markets such as Ojoto, Illoabuchi, Okija, Ikoku, among others, in order to accommodate some traders, but even so, certain traders still prefer to sell on the road side”.
The Port Harcourt mayor, said that “as long as the ban on street trading in Port Harcourt City remains in force, the government will continue to do its best to clear the streets of illegal trading spots and structures, and bring sanity to the streets and roads in the city.”
Some of the traders, who spoke with The Tide at Agip-RSUST Back Gate-Eagle Island, Sangana, Bishop Okoye, Garrison, Education Bus Stop, Bende, Mile 1 and 3, as well as Creek Road markets, admitted that government has since given them notice to vacate their illegal trading shops/spots, but added that they did not realize that the authorities were serious this time around.
One of the illegal traders, Mrs Flourish Emmanuel Ekeke, since their only source of livelihood has been demolished, the government should be compassionate enough to assist them by building more markets at strategic locations, where they could display their wares without any harassment in the future.
She added that the ultra-modern shops at Mile 1, Mile 3, and Port Harcourt Township, were very expensive as some of the petty traders start their businesses with as low as N1,000, to buy oranges and pure water, which they sell to feed their families.
A meat seller by the road side along one of the streets listed above, Chinyere Iheanacho, said “government should provide us a place to stay and sell because those selling on the streets are more than those shops inside the major markets”, noting that “chasing the petty traders away would not work without providing them an alternative and affordable place”.
Susan Serekara-Nwikhana
The Rivers State Chief judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi has granted pardon to six inmates standing awaiting trial at the Port Harcourt maximum correctional center.
The six lucky inmates granted pardon on Tuesday by the state Chief Judge included Nwekeala Chizoba, Samuel Emmanuel, Aniete Kelvin, Ebube Fubara and Goddey Okpara who were on awaiting trial as murder suspects and have all spent between 10 years to seven years in the custody without a proper information filed against them in the court.
Justice Amadi during a special gaol delivery exercise last Tuesday at the Port Harcourt Maximum Correctional Centre opined that the special gaol delivery was part of activities lined up to commomerate the 2024/2025 legal year in the State and restated the commitment of the state judiciary in decongesting the correctional centre and ensuring that those inmates who are not supposed to be there are removed from the custody.
The state chief judge stressed the need for all stakeholders to work together to build a society that supports rehabilitation and gives a second chance to anyone or group of people who have fallen short of the expectation of the law and have been punished accordingly.
He stressed that the National Judicial Council(NJC) encourages judges to pay more attention to criminal matters to enable them to decongests the correctional facilities, noting that since his assumption into office, his administration has been able to reduce the number of inmates in Nigerian Correctional Centres and the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre in particular, to less than 2,000 as against the over 4,000 inmates previously in the faculty.
According to him, “as they release the deserving inmates, they affirm their commitment to justice, compassion and rule of law but that they must not forget the fundamental principles of justice delivery system which is truth and fairness, integrity and equality before the law.”
I encourage you all the released inmates to return to your families and become better citizens. You must not engage in action that will return you all back to prison. Let me say that while the judges show empathy to you all, it does not absolved individuals from being held accountable for actions against individuals, corporate organisations and state which the law frowns at, ”he stated
The Chief Judge thereafter stood down the exercise to enable the DPP to intervene to case files following the fact that majority of the persons listed to benefit from the exercise are facing murder charges and adjourned to a date that will come before December.
Earlier in his goodwill message, the outgoing state Comptroller of Nigerian Correctional Centre, Port Harcourt, Felix Lawrence, who was recently promoted to the rank of Assistant Controller General, commended the state judiciary led by Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi for their continuous effort aimed at ensuring justice and decongesting the facilities.
Other activities lined up for the event included special church service at St Paul’s Cathedral , Anglican Communion, Rebisi Port Harcourt, inspection of guard of honour by the state Chief Judge mounted by officers of the Nigerian police and a special court session held at the ceremonial court hall.
By: AkujobiAmadi
The Director General of Rivers State Bureau on Public Procurement (RBoPP), Dr. Ine Briggs, has explained that the Sir Siminalayi Fubara administration plans to enforce transparency in governance through public procurement.
Speaking at a one-day Public Procurement Enlightenment workshop organised in collaboration with the State Local Government Service Commission for newly elected chairmen, vice chairmen, secretaries and leaders of legislative assemblies, Dr. Briggs said it is key for grassroot development.
She stated that the Sir. Fubara administration plans to reduce wastage and at same time infuse efficiency in public expenditure.
The RSoPP DG said the local government political office holders remain key drivers in the new vision hence the workshop is to arm them with knowledge on how to execute projects in tandem with needs of the people.
“ Your role in the prudent management of public resources is, therefore, not just administrative it’s the cornerstone of delivering the dividends of democracy. Every procurement decision you make must reflect a commitment to fairness, transparency and accountability” Dr. Briggs submitted.
One of the key goals of the administration she further reminded the participants was to use their offices to foster economic growth through public procurement.
She warned that the law establishing the agency empowers it to penalise defaulters, but that what is more important is voluntary compliance to the laws.
In addition to that, she said urged the local government council leaders that champion the practice and implementation of public procurement law.
On his part, Acting Chairman of Local Government Service Commission, Pastor GoodLife Ben Iduoku averred that the aim of the workshop is to arm key stakeholders in the local government system to generate new ideas, innovation and strategies in tandem with government policies and programmes.
The workshop dealt on various topics on procurement planning, methods, Understanding Bid Process, including types of Construction Contracts and law.
Some participants were awarded excellence and meritorious awards as part of the programme.
By: Kevin Nengia
The 19th anniversary of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Rivers State Chapter, recently ended in Port Harcourt in grand style, with participants from various schools including proprietors, the academia, civil society groups and top government functionaries charting the way forward for educational improvement.
The 19th NAPPS anniversary christened, ‘Innovation and Adaptation: Transforming Challenges Into Opportunities’ was held at Casoni Hotels, Port Harcourt.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Rivers State Chapter of the association, Dr. Jaja Adafe Sunday expressed gratitude to the members and executives for their untiring efforts towards the achievements of the body.
He sought the intervention of government on the lingering crisis on the economy as it is affecting the running of schools.
He decried high cost of things including fuel and raw materials which has adversely affected the running of schools and payment of teachers.
Dr. Sunday hinted that the current economic situation in the nation is biting hard on the operations of schools, saying inflation, removal of fuel subsidy, fuel scarcity, poor electricity supply, tariffs and lack of government grants are some of the challenges faced by schools, and urged the members to brace up to the challenges, as it is the panacea to building a brighter future.
Guest speakers from the health sector and the academia thrilled the gathering on the essence of basic education which they said is the key to national development.
Former Dean of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Professor Azuru and the Chief Medical Director of Meridian Hospitals, Dr. Odo Iyke were some notable guest speakers who delivered lectures at the occasion.
Some distinguished proprietors also got special recognitions and awards.
The 19th anniversary cake was cut by the Rivers State NAPPS Chairman with representatives of the state government assisting.