After a slight lull, the Rivers state government taskforce on the ban on street trading, illegal motor parks, taxi ranks and mechanic workplaces has commenced operation, vowing to prosecute violators of the ban.
Special Assistant (Media) Rivers state Governor, Kelvin Ebiri stated in a press release quoted the new coordinator of the taskforce, DSP Felix Nwadibeyi (rtd) as saying his team began operation Monday by first patrolling the streets of Port Harcourt and Obio Akpor local government areas to sensitise the public on the need to obey government order on street trading and illegal motor parks.
“Today, we are going out to sensitise the people to make sure that they are aware of our presence and that we have commenced operation.
“For some time now, there was no taskforce working. We are now going out to alert the public that we have commenced operation. Anybody caught wanting will be prosecuted,” he said.
He assured the public of the civility of the new taskforce but warned that anyone who willfully flouts government ban on street trading, illegal motor parks, taxi ranks and mechanic workplaces, will be arrested and prosecuted.
Similarly, the officer in charge of the Rivers state taskforce, DSP Okuto Christopher, explained that the presence of security personnel attached to the taskforce is to make sure there is no breakdown of law and order.
“If there is any defaulter or offender, ours is to arrest and take them to the nearest (police) division and they (defaulters) will be charged to court.”
It will be recalled that the Rivers state government had repeatedly warned all those involved in street trading, illegal motor parks, taxi ranks and mechanic workplaces on the streets to desist forthwith or face the full wrath of the law.
