News
28 Illegal Trading Posts For Demolition
The Rivers State Government says that it has identified 28 illegal trading posts in Port Harcourt City, and has since swung into action to demolish them as part of efforts to restore the Garden City status of the state capital, and promote clean environment for residents.
The state Commissioner for Urban Development and Physical Planning, Chinyere Igwe, who disclosed this in an exclusive interview with The Tide in Port Harcourt, pointed out that these illegal trading posts, including illegal motor parks, will not be allowed to function, stressing that the ministry was determined to remove them.
He said that as part of efforts to clear the streets of illegal traders and motor parks, including make-shift settlements and shanties in the state capital, the ministry’s task force on urban renewal was enforcing the ban on street trading in collaboration with the authorities of the Port Harcourt City and Obio/Akpor local government councils.
Igwe also said that the ministry has in its custody, a number of fake building plans, and advised those wishing to put up buildings and construction of any kind to approach the ministry for approval and permit.
The commissioner further disclosed plans by the government to enforce the law against street trading and hawking in Port Harcourt and its environs, and warned those involved to desist in their interest.
He warned against the proliferation of illegal motor parks, particularly at the Waterlines Junction, explaining that the government would soon swing in to crush the illegal structures, trading posts, and motor parks in the city, to restore confidence in the people, and revive the aesthetic character and value of the city of Port Harcourt.
Igwe listed some of the endemic areas to include, Mile 3, Mile 1 and Creek Road markets, Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST), Nkpolu, Back Gate-Eagle Island-Agip Bypass, Bende, Bishop Okoye, Sangana, Ojoto, and Illoabuchi streets, Education Bus Stop, Garrison, Rumuokwuta, Rumuola and Waterlines junctions, among others.
Also speaking, the Mayor of Port Harcourt City, Mr. Samuel Sunny Ejekwu said that the demolition exercise was in line with the vision of Governor Nyesom Wike to address the poor sanitary condition of Port Harcourt and its environs, and make the city the cleanest in the country.
Ejekwu said in an exclusive interview with The Tide in his office, that the proliferation of make-shift shops, illegal markets and motor parks was a dangerous trend that must be eliminated, if the city must regain its lost glory as the Garden City of Nigeria, stressing that it was in that light that his administration has also embarked on operation keep Port Harcourt clean.
He emphasized that the petty traders and illegal market operators had since been given notice to evacuate from their illegal trading locations on the roads and streets of Port Harcourt, but have refused to relocate, thereby constituting safety and security risks to other residents of the city.
The mayor said that most of the traders conduct their businesses on illegality, trading and selling on the streets, pedestrian ways of rights, and blocking access to vehicular traffic, adding that they were constituting nuisance on the roads by not only endangering their lives, but also causing traffic gridlocks in Port Harcourt City.
According to him: “There has never been an end to relocating this category of traders; I do know that what gave rise to the smaller markets around Port Harcourt is because some elements in the previous governments compromised on the city master plan and allowed the emergence of mini-markets such as Ojoto, Illoabuchi, Okija, Ikoku, among others, in order to accommodate some traders, but even so, certain traders still prefer to sell on the road side”.
The Port Harcourt mayor, said that “as long as the ban on street trading in Port Harcourt City remains in force, the government will continue to do its best to clear the streets of illegal trading spots and structures, and bring sanity to the streets and roads in the city.”
Some of the traders, who spoke with The Tide at Agip-RSUST Back Gate-Eagle Island, Sangana, Bishop Okoye, Garrison, Education Bus Stop, Bende, Mile 1 and 3, as well as Creek Road markets, admitted that government has since given them notice to vacate their illegal trading shops/spots, but added that they did not realize that the authorities were serious this time around.
One of the illegal traders, Mrs Flourish Emmanuel Ekeke, since their only source of livelihood has been demolished, the government should be compassionate enough to assist them by building more markets at strategic locations, where they could display their wares without any harassment in the future.
She added that the ultra-modern shops at Mile 1, Mile 3, and Port Harcourt Township, were very expensive as some of the petty traders start their businesses with as low as N1,000, to buy oranges and pure water, which they sell to feed their families.
A meat seller by the road side along one of the streets listed above, Chinyere Iheanacho, said “government should provide us a place to stay and sell because those selling on the streets are more than those shops inside the major markets”, noting that “chasing the petty traders away would not work without providing them an alternative and affordable place”.
Susan Serekara-Nwikhana
News
RSG Cancels ?134BN Secretariat Contract, Orders Refund Of ?20BN Mobilisation … Revalidates Four Projects

The Rivers State Executive Council has revoked the ?134bn contract awarded to the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) for the renovation, retrofitting, and furnishing of the Rivers State Secretariat Complex by the State of Emergency Administration.
The council directed the immediate refund of the ?20bn mobilization fee already paid to the contractor.
Relatedly, the Council also approved the revalidation of the bidding processes for four contracts, consisting of the renovation of the State Secretariat Complex, construction of reinforced concrete shoreline protection and reclamation works in several riverine communities of Opobo/Nkoro, and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Areas. The projects earlier advertised for which bid documents were cancelled by the Emergency Administration and fees returned to the companies that had earlier purchased them.
The decisions were reached during the State Executive Council meeting held on Thursday at the Government House, Port Harcourt, and presided over by Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Briefing newsmen, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart explained that the contracts had been awarded in a hasty manner without following due process. He said the council, therefore, approved the revalidation of the bidding process for all four contracts that were earlier advertised in national dailies on February 19, 2025.
With the revalidation process now on, Dr. Ezekiel-Hart stated that a fresh bidding will be advertised in newspapers for competent and experienced contractors to prequalify and submit both technical and commercial bids.
He listed the projects to include, “The construction of 4.8km reinforced concrete shoreline protection and reclamation of Queenstown, Epellema, Oloma, and Minima communities in Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area in Rivers State. The construction of 2.5km shoreline protection and reclamation in Ndoni-Onukwu, Isikwu, and Aziazagi communities in Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area.
“The construction of 2.5km shoreline protection and reclamation in Utuechi, Obiofu, Isala, Ani-Eze, and Odugri communities in Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area. The renovation, retrofitting and furnishing of the Rivers State Secretariat Complex,” he added.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Dr. Azibaolanari Uzoma-Nwogu, announced that the council approved the constitution of a committee to develop a proposal for the creation of Computer-Based Test (CBT) Centres and ICT Laboratories across the three senatorial districts of the state.
She explained that the initiative is in line with the Federal Government’s directive that beginning in 2026, all examinations conducted by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) will be computer-based.
The committee, chaired by the Deputy Governor, has the Secretary to the State Government, Permanent Secretaries from the Ministries of Education, Works, Information and Communications and Commissioner for Energy as members. Dr. Uzoma-Nwogu said the move will prepare Rivers youths for a digital future and improve the quality of education across the state.
On issues of employment, the Commissioner for Employment Generation and Economic Empowerment, Dr. Chisom Gbali, said the council reviewed ongoing efforts to create jobs for Rivers youths. He disclosed that his ministry has been directed to develop a framework for job creation and economic empowerment, noting that the government is determined to open up more opportunities for the young population.
“We want to assure Rivers youths that there will be a rising tide of employment and steady waves of economic empowerment,” Dr. Gbali said. “We know our Governor, when he makes a promise, he ensures it is fulfilled.”
On his part, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communications, Dr. Honour Sirawoo, said council also deliberated extensively on the recent flash floods experienced in some parts of the state. He said the council directed immediate remedial intervention to address the situation, and cautioned residents against the indiscriminate disposal of waste into drainage channels and building on waterways, which worsens flooding.
Dr. Sirawoo further noted that Governor Fubara remains deeply committed to the development of Rivers State and determined to accelerate the pace of governance despite time lost. He added that the administration’s renewed focus and energy will soon place Rivers State firmly back on the path of sustainable growth and progress.
News
Fubara Reassures Rivers People Of Completion Of PH Ring Road Project

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the completion of the 62.650km Port Harcourt Ring Road project, despite the setbacks that have slowed its progress.
The Governor gave the assurance during an on-site inspection tour of the project on Monday, where he emphasised that the state government remains resolute in its determination to deliver the massive infrastructure for public use.
Addressing journalists at the Eneka Flyover axis of the project, Governor Fubara stated that his visit was to verify the level of compliance and commitment shown by the construction firm, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc.
Governor Fubara noted that discussions with the contractor had been ongoing to ensure that work resumes at full capacity after a period of financial challenges that affected the project’s continuity.
“You are aware that this project was, I won’t say abandoned, but somehow, for lack of funds, the contractor withdrew from the site. We have been discussing with them, and they gave me their word that although we have not finished all the discussions, they have already moved back to site, and I’m here to confirm that.”
The Governor described the Port Harcourt Ring Road project, which traverses six local government areas, as one of the most significant infrastructure undertakings in the state’s history, noting that its completion would not only ease traffic congestion in the capital city but also stimulate economic activities across multiple local government areas.
Governor Fubara reiterated his administration’s resolve to continue prioritising infrastructure development as a foundation for economic growth and social progress.
“I want to make this promise to our good people of Rivers State,” the Governor declared. “This project that we started, by the special grace of God, we are going to complete it. We owe our people a responsibility to deliver on our commitments, and this project will not be an exception,” he added.
News
Use Service Year To Build Capacity, Fubara Urges Corp Members

The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has charged the 2025 Batch B, Stream II National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members deployed to the State, to use the NYSC skill acquisition training programme to build capacity.
Governor Fubara gave the charge on Tuesday when he declared closed, the 2025 Batch B Stream II orientation exercise in the State.
Represented by the newly sworn-in Secretary to the State Government and Chairman NYSC State Governing Board, Hon. Benibo Anabraba, Governor Fubara enjoined the Corps members to embrace skill acquisition wholeheartedly in order to elevate themselves as wealth creators and employers of labour.
“Take Rivers State as your home. Be assured of the warmth, hospitality, and accommodating disposition of the good of our people at all times.
“Take the skill acquisition and entrepreneurship development post camp training very seriously and equip yourselves with the capacity to compete favourably in the nation’s huge economic space,” he stressed.
The Governor called on the Corps members to see their mobilization into the NYSC Scheme as a fundamental way to provide humanitarian services.
“Remember that you owe it to yourself, family, and the nation, the responsibility to serve selflessly and honourably,” he admonished.
In his farewell address, the State Coordinator of NYSC, Mr. Moses Oleghe appealed to the Corps members to use the opportunity of the service year to discover their true purpose.
He further encouraged them to embody selfless service and empathy in serving the people.
The colourful ceremony witnessed a vibrant parade.
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