Traders in Port
Harcourt have decried the increase in hawking in the metropolis.
A cross section of the traders who spoke to our correspondent during an investigation say that the rise could not be unconnected with the influx of people from neighbouring states.
According to Mr. Cletus Apia who owns a stall at the Rumuwoji Market (Mile 1) people come to Port Harcourt to hawk as far as from Aba and beyond.
Apia said it seems the authorities did not care who comes in or goes out of the state capital for whatever reasons.
He said the development was not good for traders that have stalls at the various markets in Port Harcourt.
He explained that some of the items that the hawkers move on the streets about with were on display at the various markets so nobody was ready to patronize them, because it would amount to a waste of time for prospective customers.
Another trader who gave her name as Madam Angela at the Mile One Market who sells cooking utensils said the hawkers were not to blame.
According to her, the hawkers were taking advantage of the situation because the government was not enforcing the law against hawking in the state.
She expressed worry that the politicians were only interested in what they make out of the system and do not care if the laws they made were enforced.
However, an official at the Port Harcourt Fruits and Vegetables Market at Kaduna Street who asked not to be named said the trend could not be unconnected with lack of suitable space for traders.
He called on the Rivers State government to commence work on the second phase of the Mile One Market in order to absorb most of the hawkers.
“I believe if the government constructs the second phase of the Mile One Market, most of the hawkers can occupy the place and can reduce hawking”, he said.