RSG To Relocate Ikoku Motor Parts Dealers

The State Governement has renewed its determination to relocate the  Ikoku motor parts dealers, mechanics and other traders along the Olu-Obasanjo Road and Abuja bye-pass in Mile 3 Area of Port Harcourt  from their present sites.

The Commissioner for Urban Development, Dr. T.W Danagogo  dropped the hint in a meeting with the leadership’ of the Port Harcourt  Motor Parts Dealers Association, the General Technical Materials  Dealers Association and the Integrated Building Materials Dealers Association.in his office.

He said much as government would effect their relocation after an alternative site has been. acquired, it would no longer condone a  situation where the tradersconstimite-nulsance to road users and other residents by  blocking the side-walks’’with packed vehicles and . ca.rrying out. trading actlvities along the road.

The Commissioner stated that operatives of TIMARIV and the State  Environmental Sanitation Authority will be deployed to the Area to check the ugly trend and enjoined the leadership of the three unions to  work cooperatively with them.

He also directed officials of the Ministrv of Urban Develooment to carry out regular and effective monitoring in the area to restore sanity.

Dr. Danagogo however, ‘commended them for not only accepting to relocate as soon as government provides a’ new site, but to also develop the area on their own adding that government would continue to appreciate the contributions of their’ business to the economy of the State.

Speaking, the President of the Port Harcourt. Motor Parts Dealers Association, Mr. Maxwell Anuonye said, his association was also not satisfied with the prevailing situation at lkoku and expressed their readiness to cooperate with the government to bring about sanity in the Area.

He appealed to government to facilitate the relocation of the traders and keep to the spirit of the Memorandum of Understanding, MOU signed between the State Government and the Association since June, 2010.

The President of the General Technical Materials Dealers Association, Mr. Onuoha Okwudili in his speech said, the traders would not have resorted to court action against the government if such an atmosphere of dialogue had hitherto existed.

Also present at the meeting were the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Grace Akpughunum-Okwulehie and the Director, Urban Re-orientation and Enforcement, Mr. C.O. Asita.