The Debate On Anti-Street Trading Bill

Members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have proferred ways to implement the newly passed Rivers State Street Trading, Illegal Markets and Motor Parks Prohibition law 2019.
The legislators made their views public during debate to pass the bill.
Majority Leader, Hon. Martin Amaewhule said all road side markets should be eliminated, especially the street beggars, adding that all kinds of people have taken over our roads and before you know it, your property are stolen”.
Amaewhule cited Garrison and Waterlines junctions in Port Harcourt as examples where hoodlums disguised as hawkers to rob motorists of their belongings.
For Deputy Speaker and member representing Ahoada Constituency 2, Edison Ehie, illegal motor parks and markets contribute to the environmental pollution affecting the state.
He suggested that all those hawking and displaying wares by the roadside should be sent into the markets.
He stated that the state government under Chief Wike had already constructed new markets such as the New Mile 1 Market and Rumuokoro Market to decongest the roads and streets.
In his submission, Matthew Dike of Tai State Constituency said, the law should alleviate the sufferings of women and children who are of school age but hawking on the streets.
On his part, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Ikuinyi Owaji-Ibani, said the law should be enforced in all city centres across the state.
Ibani stated that the law was not only for Port Harcourt and its environs, but for all urban areas where street trading and roadside motor parks had become a menace.
On the implementation of the law, Ibani suggested that the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice had the powers to exercise delegated legislation to exercise discretion in line with realities on ground.
He further held that the enforcement can be jointly done by the Ministries of Transport and Urban Development.
The speaker also recommended the need for citizens to support the law so it can be effective, since it’s not targeted at any group or persons.