News
As RSG Begins Enforcement, NURTW Hails Wike’s Ban On Illegal Markets, Parks
As the Rivers State Government officially commences enforcement of the ban on street trading, illegal motor parks, taxi ranks and mechanic workplaces in the state, today, stakeholders have lauded the government for taking proactive steps to rein in rule of law and order in the state.
One of the key stakeholders is the powerful National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), which described the decision to enforce the ban as a laudable step that would bring sanity and guarantee safety of travellers in the state.
A statement signed by the state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim, last Saturday, said that, “with effect from Monday, January 4, 2021, the state government will begin the enforcement of the ban on street trading, illegal motor parks, taxi ranks and mechanic work places”.
It warned all those involved in such illegal activities along the streets and other public places to desist forthwith as defaulters would be made to face the full wrath of the law.
The release further directed law enforcement agencies and other relevant government agencies to arrest and prosecute defaulters.
The statement reads, “This is to inform the general public that with effect from Monday, January 4, 2021, the state government will begin the enforcement of the ban on trading, illegal motor parks, taxi ranks and mechanic workplaces.
“All those involved in these illegal activities along our streets and other public places are advised to desist forthwith or face the full wrath of the law.
“Law enforcement agencies and relevant government bodies have been directed to arrest and prosecute defaulters”, it added.
Reacting to the decision by the Rivers State Government to enforce the ban on street trading, illegal motor parks and illegal mechanic workshops in the state, the Abali Park branch Chairman of NURTW, Comrade Stephen Orlu, said that the state government’s decision was a laudable step that would bring sanity, guarantee safety of travellers and also improve on the revenue base of the state.
Orlu stated this in an interview with The Tide, last Saturday, in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
He frowned at a situation, particularly in Port Harcourt, the state capital, were motor parks are scattered everywhere, with nobody checkmating the operators of the illegal parks.
“In fact, commercial transport operators, including those from other states, come here, operate and evade tax and go scotch free. They don’t pay any revenue to the state government.
“Well, we have held a meeting with the Commissioner for Transport. He told us that this Abali Park and Mile 3 Motor Park will operate as central motor parks. The Governor of Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike, also emphasised in his New Year Broadcast to the state that the government would, from Monday, begin to enforce the ban on such illegal motor parks.
“If the state government do that and the board of internal revenue wants to generate revenue from motor operators, that will be very good because it will generate huge amount of money to the state.
“As at now, inside this Abali Park, all the Aba-bound commercial buses, and other buses coming from other states don’t enter here. They have turned all the bus stops to their motor parks”, Orlu lamented.
He noted that if the state government would go ahead and enforce the ban on illegal motor parks, it would complement the urban renewal efforts of the Wike-led administration, and also guarantee the safety to travellers and their goods, especially in this era of insecurity across the country.
The NURTW boss hailed Wike for the massive road infrastructure projects across the state, stressing that all parts of Port Harcourt, have become the huge construction site, with flyover bridges and roads that would transform the city to the envy of most other cities in the country.
He emphasised that the massive infrastructure projects have marked Wike out as a governor who loves his state.
By: Chris Oluoh
The ECOWAS Parliament has adopted a budget of 19,636,030 Units of Account (UA) (26 million dollars) for the 2026 fiscal year, and announced plans to commemorate its 25th anniversary in November.
The Speaker of the Parliament, Hadjia Memounatou Ibrahima, who announced this, said the development followed the recent conclusion of its 2025 Second Extraordinary Session in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
She said the budget was adopted by the Parliament during plenary, stressing that, beyond being a mere accounting act, it was the engine of parliament’s commitment to West Africans.
”It will enable us to carry out our priority missions, including implementing the conclusions of the seminar on AI, while ensuring virtuous and transparent management of public funds entrusted to us.
”This budget represents a five per cent increase compared to the 2025 fiscal year budget, reflecting an upward adjustment of UA 939,233 from last year’s UA 18,996,897.
”Out of the budget of UA 19,636,030 for 2026, the sum of UA19, 368,394 representing 98.64 per cent is expected to be financed through the proceeds from the Community Levy, while UA257,636, equivalent to 1.36 per cent, will accrue from other sources,” Ibrahima said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the ECOWAS Community Levy is a mandatory 0.5 per cent tax imposed on goods imported into ECOWAS member states from non-ECOWAS countries.
Member states are under statutory obligation to pay the community levy, which is the main source of funding for ECOWAS institutions and their activities.
Ibrahima, however, expressed dismay that some members of the community were still defaulting on the payment of the levy, and warned that, going forward; such would be met with sanctions.
She also said that the commemoration of its 25th anniversary in November would highlight the ECOWAS Parliament’s achievements in deepening regional democracy, cooperation and growth, amid formidable challenges.
The Speaker described the forthcoming anniversary as “a chance to showcase resilience and chart a more innovative, youth-focused future for the community”.
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has begun the celebration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary with a Juma’at service where prayers were offered for the progress of the state and Nigeria.
Governor Fubara, who advocated for peace and unity of Nigeria during the prayers on Friday at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt, indicated that without peace, the accelerated development of Nigeria will remain in a limbo.
Governor Fubara, who was represented by Alhaji Abdurrazaq Diepriye, therefore urged citizens to remain patriotic.
According to him, “Allah has brought us this far. Without peace, we can not have progress and economic development. I call on all citizens irrespective of creed or tribe to remain patriotic.”
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for restoring peace in Rivers State while also using the forum to appreciate security agencies for their relentless effort in upholding the peace and unity of Rivers State and Nigeria.
The Chief Imam of Rivers State Central Mosque, Imam Ibrahim Yaloo, admonished Moslem faithful to always speak the truth, adding that those who obey Allah will be directed to good deeds and their sins forgiven.
Prayers were offered for Rivers State and Nigeria.
Other activities to mark the 65th Independence anniversary in the state include an Inter-denominational Church Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 28th September and Parade Ceremony on Wednesday, 1st October.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima departed New York on Sunday after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In a statement released on Sunday by the VP media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President is now headed to Germany, where he will hold strategic meetings with officials of Deutsche Bank.
The statement read, “Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed New York, United States, after successfully representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
“During his participation at UNGA 80, VP Shettima secured UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ commendation for Nigeria’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.
“He also showcased Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunity to global investors and strengthened strategic partnerships with the UK on trade, defence, and migration issues.”
Nkwocha added that the VP delivered Tinubu’s national statement, calling for UN reforms and a permanent seat for Nigeria at the UN Security Council, and “demanded Africa’s control over its $700 billion mineral wealth, and digital inclusion initiatives.”
“He also engaged with the Gates Foundation on healthcare and education expansion, positioning Nigeria as the natural hub for the African Continental Free Trade Area’s $3.4 trillion market.
“VP Shettima was seen off at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, by cabinet Ministers who were part of the UNGA 80 delegation and Nigerian Mission officials.”
The aide noted that Shettima will return to Nigeria immediately after his engagements in Germany.
The Tide source recalls that the VP departed Abuja, yesterday.
He led other Nigerian officials at the Assembly.
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