The Rivers State Government has stated its determination to ensure that hawking and street trading in major streets of Port Harcourt is absolutely eradicated.

Barrister Kingsley Chinda, State Commissioner for Environment stated this recently in Port Harcourt during an interview with newsmen on the renewed campaign to rid the state of street trading.

While noting that poverty is the cause of  hawking and street trading, the commissioner pointed out that “even poorer countries do not allow hawking on major streets.”

He used the opportunity to state dangers posed by the act, particularly to teenagers, most of whom are deprived of education in addition to accidents and molestations.

As an alternative to hawking, the commissioner suggested that hawkers and street traders “go and occupy market stalls at Rumuepirikom, Rumeme, and Elelenwo built by the Obio/Akpor Local Government Council which are meant to be occupied.

“Unfortunately, because of their desire for quick turnover, they see staying at a place as a waste of time, preferring to hawk in the streets.

“As long as they are not tired of hawking on the street, government will not relent in its resolve until the streets and roads are cleared of illegal traders.

As at press time, Chinda revealed that a total of 63 persons had been arrested and prosecuted for street trading out of these numbers 33 were remanded, 32 cautioned and discharged, while some others were fined between N500 to N5000,000.

Sogbeba Dokubo