By Godwin Anene
In bid to enforce the ban on street trading in Rivers State, the state government will begins Mobile Courts trial on Monday of apprehended offenders and violators of the state law against Street Trading, Illegal Markets and Motor Parks.
Addressing operatives of the Task Force on Street Trading, Illegal Markets and Motor Parks on Sunday in Port Harcourt, Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, said the mobile courts will be situated in strategic location across the state
Wike told the enforcement team that their business was to ensure that offenders and violators were arrested for trail in accordance with the law.
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The governor said, “From tomorrow (today) magistrates will sit at the various locations to prosecute offenders of the law banning street trading.
“Your business is to arrest the offenders in line with the law and take them to the magistrates for trial. Anyone guilty will be sanctioned by the magistrates”
He warned the government will not take kindly to operatives of the task force taking laws into their hands, adding that ultimate goal of is to ensure that there are no street traders in Port Harcourt and that illegal motor Parks are closed.
“We don’t want to see any street traders anywhere in Port Harcourt. Your duty is to ensure that the streets are clean. Those selling corn and other items on the roads should also leave. If you want to be a trader, kindly move into the markets”, he said.
He further revealed that a committee has been established to monitor the Task Force on Street Trading, Illegal Markets and Motor Parks, adding that where there are infractions, there would be sanctions.
