Even with the law in
place in Rivers State banning street trading, visitors and residents in the state are overwhelmed by the increase in street trading, especially along the Port Harcourt-Aba Express way.
Investigation by The Tide correspondent shows that most  guilly of the zones include Waterlines, GRA junction, Rumuola, Airforce Base and Artillery junctions.
A cross-section of the hawkers who spoke to our correspondent said the trade yields money for them faster than those who stay in rented shops.
According to John Monday, who trades in assorted types of foreign biscuits, most travelers prefer patronizing them as they had no alternative while travelling.
Another hawker, Mr. Jacob Aka, who claimed to have been in the business for more than five years said they usually made more money hawking.
He explained that if they collect artcicles worth  N1,000 from their supplier, they would  make N500 in profits.
When reminded of the danger of doing such business in the midst of moving vehicles, Sister Blessing, who hawks recharge cards said the risk was worth taking but the watch word was carefulness.
But in contrast, Cletus Chigbu, who sells wrist watches among others said his worst fear was the various taskforces that chase them unannounced every now and then.
The Tide recalls that the State government has banned street trading and hawking along high ways, with defaulters risking various sad terms.