Traders, Touts Take Over Bus Stops In PH

There is a growing in
cursion by traders and operators of motor parks on some popular bus stops in Port Harcourt metropolis.
Our reporter who monitored the trend said the development was more pronounced in Ikwerre Road, Aba Road and some parts of Old Port Harcourt Township commonly called Borikiri.
At Mile I bus stop, directly opposite the Mile I Market, yam and fruit sellers have taken over 50% of the space, reserving little space for the high volume of commercial bus and taxi drivers who use the facility.
Other bus stops affected are Education bus stop opposite the NYSC Secretariat, and Amaechi  Bus’ Stop opposite St. Andrews Primary School.
Also affected are Leventis Bus Stop beside First Bank on Aba Road, Lagos Bus Stop and CFC bus stop amongst numerous others.
At some of the bus stops, private operators of motor parks turned the area to permanent loading bay.
Activities of the traders and park operators result in traffic congestion and all manner of hazards unexpected at regulated bus stops.
Some residents who reacted to the trend said unless government takes serious actions which include punishing those behind the illegal activities, more bus stops would be affected.
Christiana Igodo, said, “ imagine, the Mile I Bus Stop has been taken over by yam  sellers, dealers on Onions and other fruits as if the area has become an extention of the market.”
Igodo who is a trader in Mile I market appealed to the Rivers State Government and other relevant agencies to “Check the trend before it turns to another things.”
A taxi driver who plies Fly Over-Iloabuchi route Kingdom Essien said “you hardly find space at the bus stop at Mile I market to drop your passengers because there is a motor park there, Yam sellers and all manner of business operators have taken up the space. You are most times forced to stop near the gate of a nearby bank which is also risky.”
Chief Yeye Clifco condemned the incursion and appealed to the ministries of Transport, Urban Development and other appropriate agencies of the government to take action toward checking the development.
“It causes rowdy atmosphere which is capable of promoting illegal or criminal activities”.
He called for immediate arrest of all the traders and motor parks  who have turned the bus stop to business areas at the detriment of the people.