Traders at the Rail
way Market Port Harcourt have imposed a fine of one thousand naira on defaulters of the weekly Thursday sanitation exercises.
Speaking to Tide Environment Desk reporters during the exercise, some traders said that those absent during the exercise were made to pay the fine.
They said that the Thursday weekly sanitation exercise was being carried out to keep the area clean.
Mr. Samuel Chinedu, a trader said that the exercise was based on the order by the Rivers State Government which declared Thursday every week as special sanitation day for market traders.
He said that, no trader did anything until the end of the exercise.
On his part, Chief O. Dan said that environmental sanitation was something everybody must embrace as cleanliness is next to godliness.
“It is important in the society, because when the environment is clean, there would be no sicknesses” he said.
Also speaking, Mr. Amaechi Madubuchi said that traders in the area had no option, but to keep their environment clean.
According to him, a clean environment guarantees good health and attract customers, thereby helping to increase business activities “If the place is dirty, no customer will come. That is why we do this sanitation every Thursday,” he said.
Another trader, Stella Ozoemena also told The Tide that sanitation must be embraced by everyone, as it promote healthy living.
She said that apart from the Thursday exercise, some traders keep their shops clean every day. Mrs Ozoemena also said that the Thursday exercise had now become a weekly ritual for every trader in the market.

Samuel Ogolo/Egbeogu Chioma

Flooded portion on Route 7, Federal Housing Estate, Ikot Ansa in Calabar last Tuesday.