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RSG Declares War Against Street Trading …As Wike Heads Task Force, Sets …April 11 Deadline For Defaulters …Commends Work On Largest Shopping Mall In PH
The Rivers State Executive Council has set up a Special Task Force chaired by the state Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike to clear illegal traders from major roads and streets in Port Harcourt and its environs.
In a statement issued shortly after the State Executive Council meeting, last Wednesday, the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Barrister Emma Okah said the decision to set up a high-powered task force was to demonstrate the irreversible determination of the state government to rid major roads in the state of the environmental hazards and sanitary embarrassment and nuisance which the activities of illegal traders were inflicting on the state and her people.
The statement reads in part, “The Government notes with sadness the recalcitrance of these street traders who have continuously dared the efforts of government to keep our roads and environment clean.
“Sadly, they mess up the environment, litter the roads, cause disorder and contribute nothing by way of tax or otherwise to clean their mess.
“As a government, we owe a duty to those we serve to protect the environment, enhance sanitation and promote order in our state,” Okah said, noting that “illegal traders in our major roads are on the wrong side of the law and will face the right music.
“Consequently, from Thursday, April 12, 2018, the governor of Rivers State will lead members of the Special Task Force, in the first phase of their mandate, to flush illegal traders from the roads and affected streets and restore normalcy. The exercise will be a continuing one until the ugly situation is reversed.
“However, it is necessary to warn that in the course of this exercise, traders caught by the special task force may lose their goods, suffer arrest, face prosecution and possible jail term upon conviction.
“If this happens the consequences may be unpleasant and unattractive for anyone to test the will of the special task force.
“Major roads and spots to be cleared by the task force in the first phase of this exercise include Bishop Okoye Street in Diobu, Garrison, Nitel near Garrison, GRA 2 junction, other parts of GRA Phase 2 where illegal trading is going on, Old GRA, Ikwerre Road, Wimpey Junction, Trans Amadi, etc”, the statement added.
Meanwhile, some street traders in the Diobu axis of Port Harcourt last Wednesday appealed to the Rivers State Government to provide them affordable market stalls before enforcing its ban on street trading.
The traders spoke to newsmen in reaction to the government’s recent seven-day ultimatum banning trading activities along Bishop Okoye Street in Diobu, Port Harcourt.
According to them, it would be unfair for the government to drive them out of business without providing an alternative place from them.
One of the traders, Mrs Kechi Wechie, who sells vegetables, appealed to the government not to be hasty about banning trading along Bishop Okoye Street.
“We are aware that we trade along the road; but we have nowhere to go from here, we implore the government to help us.
“What we do here is petty trading, we will be happy to access affordable stalls with the assistance of the government,’’ Wechie said.
On his part, Archibong Matthew, a grinding machine operator, expressed concern at the notice that government had given the traders to quit trading along that street.
“It is from the proceeds of my activities here that I assist my younger ones in school; I pray this notice will not be enforced.
“I will be the greatest victim, I wonder the excuse to give to those that depend on me, I beg the state government to please change its mind,’’ he said.
Our correspondent reports that some residents of Mile Three, Diobu, in the Port Harcourt City Local Government Area of Rivers State had in the past appealed to the state government to stop traders from selling along Bishop Okoye Street.
They alleged that the traders there were fond of displaying fish, vegetables and other edibles in the open along the filthy street.
They alleged that they had since stopped buying things displayed on the street for fear of being infected by disease from such items.
In another development, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has declared that the construction of West Africa’s largest supermarket in Nigeria underscores the importance of Port Harcourt as an investment destination.
Speaking after inspecting the ongoing construction of Next Shopping Mall at the Trans-Amadi area of Port Harcourt, recently, Wike stated that his administration would support the investor by reconstructing the roads leading to the mall.
The governor expressed satisfaction with the investment, which he said would create employment opportunities for residents and the host community.
He thanked the private investor, Mr Ndibe Obi for choosing Port Harcourt for the mall, saying that the city has all the facilities that would attract credible private investors.
Wike said: “I am highly impressed by what I have seen here today. We will encourage the investor who has put in his resources and time to see that this is done in Port Harcourt. We encourage others to come to Port Harcourt.
“In supporting him, we will make sure that the roads leading to this facility are reconstructed to enhance the value of the shopping mall.
“I have never seen anything like this in any part of this country. If this becomes operational, it will send signals to other people that the best place to invest is Port Harcourt”.
Wike said: “So, I thank the private investor for choosing Port Harcourt to build this kind of supermarket”.
In his remarks, the Private Investor, Mr Ndibe Obi said that the mall would house an 11,000-square metre supermarket which would sell all types of products.
Obi said that facility would create 600 direct and indirect employments for residents of the state and the host community.
The Administrator of Rivers State, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, has assured the commitment of Rivers State government to workers’s welfare and industrial harmony in Rivers State.
The Sole Administrator gave the assurance after meeting with leadership of organized labour unions at the Government House, Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
Ibas reaffirmed government’s policy of prompt payment of salaries and pensions to workers and retirees, stating that all local government employees are not receiving the approved minimum wage.
He disclosed that approval has been given for payment of newly employed staff at Rivers State University Teaching Hospital and the Judiciary, while medical workers in Local Government Areas will now receive correct wages.
Ibas explained that, Government is reviewing implementation challenges of the Contributory Pension Scheme ahead of the July 2025 deadline, adding that Intervention buses have been reintroduced to ease workers’ transportation ,with plans to expand the fleet.
He said specialized leadership training for top civil servants will commence within two weeks, while due consideration is being given to implementing the N32,000 consequential adjustment for pensioners and clearing outstanding gratuities.
Ibas commended Rivers State workers for their dedication to service and called for sustained partnership with labour unions to maintain industrial peace.
“This administration recognizes workers as critical partners in development. We remain committed to addressing your legitimate concerns within available resources,” he stated.
The State NLC Chairman, Comrade Alex Agwanwor, thanked the Administrator for the steps taken so far with regard to workers welfare while appreciating his disposition towards alleviating the transportation problem faced by workers.
He also expressed appreciation for the government’s openness to dialogue and pledged continued cooperation towards achieving mutual goals.
The Rivers State Government assured all workers of its unwavering commitment to their welfare and called for continued dedication to service delivery for the collective progress of our dear State.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Rivers Council, has called for policies that will improve the economic situation of the country in order to ensure enhanced living standard for workers.
The State Chairman, Mr Alex Agwanwor, made the remark on behalf of the unions affiliated to Labour Congress during the 2025 workers day celebration in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Agwanwor highlighted the demands of the Unions which included the immediate payment of pension arrears, implementation of the N32,000 minimum wage for pensioners, and payment of gratuities and death benefits without further delay.
“We are calling for the regulation and protection of e-hailing drivers, implementation of increments and promotions, and resolution of long-standing issues in the polytechnic sector,” he said.
Agwanwor on behalf of the unions appealed to President Bola Tinubu to reinstate the democratically elected Governor, Deputy Governor, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
He stressed the importance of democratic governance and good working relationship with elected representatives.
According to him, the unions expressed disappointment over the imposition of taxes, increase in electricity tariff, and high cost of goods and services, which have further worsened the plight of workers.
“We urge the federal government to take measures to alleviate the suffering of citizens,” he said.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima says President Bola Tinubu is committed to unlocking Nigeria’s full potential and position the country as a leading force on the African continent.
Shettima stated this when he hosted a delegation from the Hertie School of Governance, Berlin, led by its Senior Fellow, Dr Rolf Alter, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja last Wednesday.
He said Nigeria was actively seeking expertise from the global best institutions to enhance policy formulation and implementation, particularly in human capital development.
The Vice-President noted that President Tinubu was determined to elevate Nigeria to its rightful position as a leading force in Africa.
“The current crop of leadership in Nigeria under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is ready and willing to unleash the full potential of the Nigerian nation on the African continent.
” We are laying the groundwork through strategic reforms, and at the heart of it, is human capital development.”
He described the Hertie School as a valuable partner in the journey.
According to him, Hertie School of Governance, Berlin, has track record and institutional knowledge to add value to our policy formulation and delivery, especially in this disruptive age.
Shettima reiterated the government’s priority on upskilling Nigerians, saying ” skills are very important, and with our Human Capital Development (HCD) 2.0 programme.
“We are in a position to unleash the full potential of the Nigerian people by enhancing their capital skills.”
The Vice-President acknowledged the vital support of international development partners in that effort.
” I want to thank the World Bank, the European Union, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and all our partners in that drive to add value to the Nigerian nation,” he maintained.
The Vice-President said human capital development was both an economic imperative and a social necessity.
Shettima assured the delegation of the government’s readiness to deepen cooperation.
” We need the skills and the capacity from your school. The world is now knowledge-driven.
“I wish to implore you to have a very warm and robust partnership with the government and people of Nigeria.”
Shettima further explained recent economic decisions of the government, including fuel subsidy removal and foreign exchange reforms.
“The removal of fuel subsidy, the unification of the exchange rate regime and the revolution in the energy sector are all painful processes, but at the end of the day, the Nigerian people will laugh last.
“President Tinubu is a very modern leader who is willing to take far-reaching, courageous decisions to reposition the Nigerian economy,” he added.
Earlier, Alter, congratulated the Tinubu administration for the successful launch and implementation of the Human Capital Development (HCD) strategy.
The group leader described the development as ambitious and targeted towards the improvement of the lives of the citizens.
He expressed satisfaction with the outcome of his engagements since arriving in the country.
He applauded the zeal, commitment, energy and goodwill observed among stakeholders in the implementation of Nigeria’s HCD programme.
Alter said the Hertie School of Governance would work closely with authorities in Nigeria across different levels to deliver programmes specifically designed to address the unique needs of the country.
He, however, stressed the need for government officials at different levels to be agile and amenable to the dynamics of the evolving world, particularly as Nigeria attempted to successfully accelerate its human capital development aspirations.
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