Residents Bemoan Indiscrimate Workshops In PH

A cross section of road users in Rivers State  have condemned the indiscriminate sitting of
auto-mechanic workshops in Port Harcourt saying they constitute and defaces.

The Tide in a random interview with members of the public
gathered that although it has been a source of livelihood to many families, it
is high time the government regulates the opening of mechanic workshops
indiscriminately.

They suggested that government should relocate mechanics to
a particular area to be known as
“Mechanic village, in order to give the city a  face-lift and bring back its garden city
status.

According to them, the relocation or resettlement was long
over-due as it would also help to enhance free flow of traffic in and outside
the state.

Mr. Sunday Nse-Ekang, an automechanic said  “I will be very glad if Governor Amaechi will
open a mechanic village for all mechanics to carry out their business, because
where I am operating in Port Harcourt, some council boys after paying N30,000
every month, don’t allow us to stay.

Mr. Nwakama Egbe said the proliferation of mechanic
workshops helped people to be self-employed and their activities do not cause
any hold-up on the road because they sited their workshop outside the road.

“My  only appeal to
the government is to get them a an alternative site to carry out their daily
business, he said”

The transporter however advised mechanic workshop owners to
keep their environments clean to avoid being embarrassed by the Rivers State
Environmental Sanitation Authority.

Another member of the public, Mr. Olalekan Ige said, “it has
to be controlled because it is defacing the Garden City of Port Harcourt and
its environs.  People should not just set
up mechanic workshop any how and anywhere in Port Harcourt. Government has to
ensure it is controlled and they are given requirements to operate.”

Chief Vitrus Nnamdi, in his opinion said Government should
take the issue serious as mechanic workshops could be found at every nooks and
cranny of the state.

He suggested that all mechanic workshops should be moved to
a permanent site adding, “if this is done, it will give the city a face-look
and avoid unnecessary pollution.”

Collins Barasimeye