Niger Delta
Traders Groan As CRSG Moves To Sanitise Markets, Parks
Petty traders and hawkers in major markets and parks in the Calabar metropolis are having a tough time as the state government embarked on the clearance of major markets and motor parks in the metropolis.
Officials of the state government had embarked on operation to decongest markets and motor parks in the process seizing goods and wares of petty traders and hawkers.
The action was part of the renewed drive by the state government to restore the famed clean and green environment the city is famous for Calabar was famous for its clean and green nature particularly during the last decade in the hey days of the Donald Duke administration when trees and flowers were planted across the city and petty trading was largely restricted.
However, over the years, the clean and green nature of the city gave way to emergence of heaps of refuse across the city made worse by the activities of street traders.
The situation further deteriorated by indiscriminate parking along major ways causing traffic gridlock. Watts, popularly called Urua Watt by the locals, as well as the oldest Etim Edem park, where travelers board buses to different parts of the country were particularly targeted by the sanitation officials.
The Ministry of Environment had earlier issued an ultimatum for all traders to vacate and relocate elsewhere.
Upon the expiration of the ultimatum, the ministry moved in caterpillars and brought down all the kiosks and temporary stalls erected by the traders so as to make way for the restoration of the park.
The traders in an interview however blamed the government for the situation pointing out to the shortage of stalls and spaces in the various markets in the metropolis.
They said this had forced them to engage in hawking their wares on the streets.
One of the traders, Williamson Akpan, said there was an acute shortage of market stalls across the city. He said the existing markets in Calabar particularly the two major markets, have no stores for them.
Ifiok Bassey, a middle aged woman who sells fruits, bitter kola, groundnuts and kolanut, said that displacing them without providing a viable alternative was not the best move by government.
“There are no open stalls for us to sell our ware, that was why I decided to come here and sell my goods. It is not every trader that needs a store to sell his goods like mine so it is wrong to say every trader has to get a store.
“Every city you go, there are always open spaces for traders to do their businesses and so I don’t see any logical reason why government should come and chase us from this park. “If at all they don’t want us to stay here, where are they sending us to? They should have provided a space for us to go before coming to chase us from this place.
They have to reconsider this decision because it is not fair,” she said.
Elizabeth Hanson another trader at the park said the decision of the government to suddenly expel them from the park was not in the traders’ interest.
“I have been selling clothes here for the past 15 years and my decision to come here and erect a metal shop was because there are no stores to let at the Watt Market. More people are coming into the city to carry out businesses particularly trading and when government does not provide new market stores or build more markets, where do you expect them to go?
Friday Nwagbara, Calabar
Niger Delta
RSNC Head Charges NAOMEW On Professionalism, Effective Service Delivery

The Head of Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mrs Stella Dornubari Gbaraba, has charged the National Association of Ogoni Media House Workers (NAOMEW) World Wide, to be committed to professionalism, patriotism and effective service delivery in the discharge of their duties and rendering of patriotic gestures.
Mrs Gbaraba gave the charge yesterday when the NAOMEW, The Tide Chapter paid her a courtesy call in her office in Port Harcourt.
She expressed deep appreciation for the visit, and assured the Association of her commitment to being a worthy Ogoni Ambassador like late Mr Augustine Nwikinaka, former General Manager of the corporation, to promote the fortunes of the corporation, while counting on their unflinching encouragement, prayers and support to succeed.
“ I am very happy to receive the National Association of Ogoni Media House Workers (The Tide Chapter) today in my office. I am glad you people came to my office, for those that know me in a short while in the corporation, I am a serious-minded person. I heard that the time the corporation was functioning well was under the leadership of late Austin Nwikinaka. Any where I go to, I will rather come down and show working example and that is what the Ogoni person is known for. So I am always proud to associate myself with an Ogoni man, so your support means so much to me,” Mrs Gbaraba said.
She assured them of running an open-door policy in the management of the corporation, and urged stronger partnership between NAOMEW, other unions, interest groups, corporate organisations, institutions and the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation in professional service delivery.
Speaking on behalf of the NAOMEW, The Tide Chapter, the National Secretary of the association, Comrade Taneh Beemene welcomed her into The Tide family and also congratulated her on her very important appointment.
Taneh, who expressed confidence in her experience and abilities to deliver on her assignments, thanked her for the uncommon feats recorded in the corporation within her brief leadership. He said the corporation has been revived from its comatose status that predated her appointment.
“ Within your short time, you have given the corporation a remarkable facelift. We pray that God should give you the enablement to restore the dignity of the corporation. We have come to inform you that we are solidly behind you and will make our untiring contributions to make you succeed, “ he stated.
In his vote of thanks and closing remarks, the Chairman, National Union of Printing, Publishing and Paper Production Workers (NUPPPPROW), Comrade Keyirale Donatus Nwiueh thanked the Head of the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mrs Stella Dornubari Gbaraba for receiving the association in a warm manner, adding that she should count on the support of the association to succeed.
Kiadum Edookor
Niger Delta
OBALGA Sole Administrator Presents Brand New Fire Extinguishers To Council …Commiserates With Traders Over Rumuomasi Market Fire Incident …Commences Desilting Of Drainages

The Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has presented 150 brand new fire extinguishers to the council.
Dr Walter who spoke to newsmen at the council premises at Rumuodumanya said the gesture was part of measures by his administration to ensure safety of lives and council property from unforeseen fire incidents.
He urged the staff of the council to ensure the safety of the extinguishers, while promising to engage experts to teach them how to handle and operate the extinguishers.
Meanwhile, Sole Administrator of Obio Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has commiserated with traders at the Rumuomasi Market over the unfortunate fire incident that gutted parts of the market.
Dr Walter who visited the market to assess the level of damage caused by the fire, described it as unfortunate
Addressing the crowd of distressed traders and community members, Dr. Walter acknowledged the historical significance of the market, which was originally built under the administration of the former Obio/Akpor Chairman and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief (Barr.) Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON.
He noted that preliminary findings suggest the fire may have been caused by an electrical fault, though a full investigation is still underway.
“As a local government, we will constitute a thorough investigation team to determine the root cause of the fire,
“Most importantly, we thank God that no lives were lost. I want to assure our traders that the Local Government will not abandon you.
“We will also work with security operatives to safeguard salvaged goods and prevent further losses,” he said.
He encouraged traders to adopt stricter safety measures, especially concerning electrical appliances in markets prone to fire hazards.
“There are many ways fires can ignite, even without an open flame. Let us all be vigilant and prioritise safety,” he cautioned.
Dr. Walter also commended those who stepped in to assist during the emergency.
“We are grateful to all who helped salvage goods and support affected persons during the crisis. Your kindness embodies the spirit of Obio/Akpor. The forthcoming investigation will help us put preventive structures in place,” he said.
The Chairman of the market, Mr. Prince Adele, who accompanied Dr. Walter, during the inspection, identified K-Lane as the most severely affected area.
A statement by the information officer to the council, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said no incident of death was reported by the traders during the visit.
In another development, the Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor local government council, Sir Clifford Ndu Walter, has commenced a comprehensive canal clearance campaign with a view to identifying and removal of all blockages including illegal structures hindering the free flow of waters in the area.
A statement from the council Press Secretary, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said during the inspection of key canals in the area, several unauthorised barricades and blockages were discovered and removed.
According to the statement, Dr Walter emphasised that illegal dumping, unapproved structures and poor drainage habits endanger communities and undermine government efforts, adding that his administration is committed to protecting lives and property of the citizens.
It said the Sole Administrator also declared his readiness to ensure that all canals and drainages are cleaned, maintained and functioning effectively.
He also warned against further dumping of waste in waterways, citing impending flooding.
Niger Delta
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