The Abia State governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu has blamed the slow pace of work at Osisioma junction on street trading.
The governor, through a statement signed by his chief press secretary, Mr. Onyebuchi Ememanka notes that the street trading at Osisioma junction is seriously hindering the contractors handling the project from completion.
According to him, the street traders are pouring all sorts of liquid on the construction site making it difficult to set, especially the Osisioma junction which is undergoing asphalting.
The full statement reads below…
The Abia State Government has noted with great dismay the unwholesome activities of emergency street traders around the area between Oomne Road Junction through Ngwa High School up to Osisioma Junction.
The activities of these street traders are negatively affecting the ongoing reconstruction work on that end of Aba Owerri Road.
These traders mindlessly place tables and chairs on recently laid asphalt that is yet to solidify, thereby creating crevices on the ongoing project and disrupting the smooth laying of asphalt. In addition, they pour all sorts of liquids ranging from palm oil, engine oil, kerosene and even petrol on the site. These liquids affect the settling of the asphalt layers.Government can no longer watch while these mindless activities go on.
Consequently, the Governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu, PhD has ordered an end to all forms of street trading around that area, effective immediately.
The Governor hereby orders the Honorable Commissioner for Environment to immediately constitute a crack Task Force to ensure the strictest compliance with this directive. This task force is expected to commence work tomorrow morning, Monday, 9th December, 2019.
The Head of Service, Osisioma Ngwa Local Government Area, The Divisional Police Officer in charge of Abayi Division and the Head of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Osisioma will work with the Task Force to arrest any person who chooses to flout this directive. Any goods or items of trade found around that area shall immediately be confiscated and such trader prosecuted.
Government hereby warns these street traders to steer clear from that area in their own interest. There has never been a market there and there will never be.
Government is investing lots of money in that project and will not tolerate any action that will impact negatively on it.
To be forewarned is to be forearmed!
