By: Felix Ikpotor
Caretaker Committee Chairman of Khana Local Government Area in Rivers State, Gbara Edman Erelo has banned street trading in major streets of Bori, the Local Government Headquarters and Traditional Headquarters of Ogoni.
The council boss further directed the restrictions on road trading, loading of cars and motorcycles directly on the road, with the resultant heavy traffic on the roads and streets, especially Hospital Road and Monsi Street in the area.
Erelo while issuing the order during a visit to the Bori Central Market decried the way and manner Bori was being turned into a slum of sorts due to indiscriminate trading, hawking and displaying of wares on the roads.
He regretted that traders, rather than make use of the Bori Central Market, had abandoned it in preference to selling their wares on the streets, adding that the action was causing both social and environmental problems to the city.
He maintained that the ban is with immediate effect; warning that anyone caught contravening the order would be arrested and prosecuted under the relevant laws.
The Khana CTC boss explained that the action of the council was tailored towards giving the area a facelift, and enjoined the traders to cooperate with the council and desist from trading on the streets.
Erelo explained further that the measure was part of the council’s resolve to sanitize and restore the urban status of Bori, and solicited maximum cooperation from the traders to ensure its success.
