RSG Shuts Slaughter Market

Displeased by the swelling street trading at the Slaughter market, located close to the abattoir at the Trans-Amadi axis of Port Harcourt, Rivers State Government has ordered that the market be indefinitely shut down in the next 24 hours.

The action follows the swelling traffic and defacement caused by the rowdy market over the years.

Commissioner for Urban Development, Dr Tammy Danagogo made the disclosure to newsmen shortly after the Inter-Governmental forum meeting in Government House yesterday, warning that the traders have 24 hours to vacate or be forcibly removed from the area.

Dr Danaggo declared, “The market is to be closed down in the next 24 hours…which means that by tomorrow every stall, every trader at the local market is expected to vacate that place, failing to do so, government will move in there and arrest them and take over the market.”

According to him, the closure is indefinite since there is no specific time frame for it to be re-opened. “The decision of government is that the market has to be closed down. We cannot condone lawlessness”, he added.

He however said that the abattoir will not be affected, as far as those using it remain within the precincts of the slaughter area.

Meanwhile, as part of measures to check haphazard developments in the city, the Ministry of Urban Development has disclosed plans to commence what it termed, “Proactive Planning” policy.

The Commissioner of Urban Development stated yesterday in an interview with newsmen that the measure is aimed at checking the uncontrolled built environment at the city’s fringes.

Said he, “Over the years there was this gap in planning in the state. That is why you see important fringes in Port Harcourt develop without effective planning.”

Henceforth, he announced that the Ministry will set out strict planning regulations to check construction of roads, markets, motorparks and leisure parks. This he explained will check haphazard developments within and outside the city.

Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu (right), and Director-General, National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), Prof. Karniyus Gamaniel, during the minister’s visit to the institute in Abuja, yesterday.