Business
Task Force Issues Ultimatum To Bureau De Change Operators In PH

The Rivers State Task Force on Street Trading, Illegal Markets and Motor Parks, has given bureau de change operators along the Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt axis of the state capital up till May 1st, 2020 to vacate the location or risk arrest and prosecution.
Coordinator of the Task Force, Bright Amaewhule in a chat with newsmen in Port Harcourt, recently, warned the bureau de change operators that no one is above the law. According to him, it is worrisome that the bureau de change operators have refused to vacate the area despite the numerous meetings they held previously with the State government on the issue.
“I have never seen such a group of persons that do not have respect and regard for constituted authority. Even after we have held meetings with the Secretary to the Rivers State government (SSG). Even after the Governor has held meetings at the State Security Council level directing that these group of persons should obey the law prohibiting illegal street trading, motor parks and mechanics.
“Now, within that Presidential Hotel axis, these men, our northern brothers, our Muslim brothers who are deeply involved in this bureau de change, have refused to abide by the law setting up our Task Force,” he lamented.
Amaewhule also faulted some traders for carrying out their businesses at illegal points in parts of the State despite the ban on their activities.
“We decided to go round to ensure that there were no street trading, illegal markets, particularly those markets that the governor said should remain closed till further notice. But my worry is that even in the presence of some security agencies, these markets are still operating.
“We visited the Creek Road Market (located at old Port Harcourt Township) and discovered that even after they have been chased away earlier, they now return back again. But we have also been able to dislodge them.
“It is an opportunity to warn members of the public who also patronise these traders to desist from that otherwise they will be treated the way the traders are being treated,” Amaewhule warned.
By: Dennis Naku