In a bid to restore sanity and order around the Enyimba area of the Ariaria International Market, Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu has banned any form of street trading around the area. The ban followed the successful dislodging of all street traders around the Enyimba area of the Ariaria International Market by the Ministry of Trade and Investment.
The Governor has equally placed a ban on erecting any shop, tent or any other structure by whatever name called for the purposes of trading around that area.
A statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Onyebuchi Ememanka, reads:
“Consequently, Governor Ikpeazu hereby orders all relevant agencies of the Abia State Government to work with security agencies to effectively and decisively carry out these instructions. Security agencies are hereby authorized to arrest and prosecute any person who attempts to flout this order.”
The statement advises those who wish to do business to find spaces for their trading inside the market. According to the statement, “Governor further orders the Abia State Public Utilities Management Agency to immediately move into the area, clean up the place and turn the surroundings into green areas through the planting of flowers and other ornamental trees, as well as restore the original plan for that area which is to create unrestricted access into and out of the market.”
It insisted that Government is fully determined to put an end to indiscriminate street trading and restore decency around Abia market environments and indeed along all major streets across the State and advised the general public including those who do business at the Ariaria International Market to take notice of the Development.