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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
President Bola Tinubu has expressed confidence that the country would win the fight against insecurity.
The President gave the assurance at the Argungu International Fishing Festival in Argungu town, Kebbi State, on Saturday.
He noted that the relative peace currently being enjoyed in Kebbi and neighbouring states was the result of sustained investments in security intelligence, coordination among security agencies, and community engagement.
Tinubu assured farmers and fishermen of sustained federal support to guarantee food security and safety across the country.
“The peace we are witnessing today is not accidental. It is the outcome of deliberate and sustained efforts. I assure you that the fight against banditry, insurgency, and insecurity will be won.
“Our farmers, fishermen, traders, and families will go about their lawful activities without fear,” he assured.
The President commended the organisers of the festival for sustaining the cultural event for decades, noting that it had endured for 83 years despite social and security challenges.
Describing the Argungu festival as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence, Tinubu stated that it reflects the richness of the country’s culture and the opportunities to harness its natural and human resources for national growth.
He said, “Today, this festival stands as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence among our people.
“It reflects the richness of our culture, the strength of our traditions, and the opportunities inherent in harnessing our natural and human resources for national development.”
The President was received by a large crowd of residents, traditional rulers, fishermen, tourists, and government officials from across the country.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to youth and women empowerment, irrigation development, rural electrification, and agricultural productivity.
Earlier, the Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, said his administration was determined to elevate the Argungu Fishing Festival to full international standards while pursuing aggressive development across critical sectors of the state.
The United States Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed today, in observance of Presidents’ Day.
The mission made this known in a notice shared on its official X page, yesterday.
“The U.S. Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed on Monday, February 16, 2026, in observance of Presidents’ Day,” the post read.
According to the embassy, Presidents’ Day was originally established to honour the birthday of the former US President, George Washington, but has evolved into a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents and their leadership in shaping the country’s history.
The embassy noted that the holiday also recognises the influence of U.S. presidents on global affairs.
In a related message, the mission highlighted that Washington created the first “Badge of Military Merit,” which later became the Purple Heart. The medal still bears Washington’s image today.
Presidents’ Day is observed on the third Monday of February annually in the United States as a federal holiday.
News
Guterres Backs Nigeria’s Bid For UN Security Council Seat …Hails Tinubu’s Reforms, Regional Security Role
United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has charged Nigeria with spearheading Africa’s quest for a restructured global order, describing the country as uniquely positioned to lead the continent toward superpower status.
Guterres, who backed Nigeria’s bid for the world body’s security council seat, also praised the economic reforms of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration as well as Nigeria’s leadership in stabilising the Sahel and ECOWAS regions, despite facing its own security challenges.
The UN scribe made the remarks last Friday night during a high-level bilateral meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima on the sidelines of the 39th African Union (AU) Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Speaking during the meeting, Guterres said Nigeria’s large population, sustained democratic governance, vast natural and human resources, and longstanding commitment to multilateralism placed it in a unique position to lead Africa in the evolving global order.
“Given Nigeria’s demographic strength, democratic continuity and deep resource base, the country stands a real chance of leading Africa to becoming the next superpower in the evolving global architecture,” he said.
The UN Secretary-General and the vice president discussed key developments in Nigeria and the country’s expanding leadership role in promoting regional stability across West Africa and the Sahel.
Guterres commended the remarkable and outstanding reforms of the administration of President Tinubu, noting that Nigeria’s bold economic restructuring and security commitments have strengthened its continental standing.
The meeting focused on strengthening Nigeria–UN collaboration to advance global economic growth, peace and security, sustainable development, and a coordinated humanitarian response across Africa.
In his remarks, Shettima thanked the UN Secretary-General for his leadership in advancing global peace, noting that Africa has benefited immensely from his tenure, even as the United Nations undergoes internal restructuring.
“We remain committed to multilateralism and to deepening our partnerships with the United Nations and other global institutions,” the vice president said.
Shettima also reiterated Nigeria’s longstanding call for comprehensive reform of the United Nations system to reflect evolving global realities.
He emphasised that Africa must have stronger representation in global decision-making structures and declared that Nigeria deserves a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.
Both leaders pledged to deepen cooperation, with Guterres reaffirming the UN’s support for Nigeria’s reform agenda and its growing leadership role in advancing peace, security, and development across Africa.