By; PATRICK TITUS, Uyo
Effective from October 21, 2021, anyone found operating illegal markets which include street trading and illegal trading outlets in Akwa Ibom State will be arrested and prosecuted.
This order, contained in the decisions taken at the state government executive council meeting on Wednesday at Exco Chambers of Government House in Uyo, the capital, is meant to check the menace of street trading, illegal markets and the attendant risks.
In the interim, government has allowed a two-week moratorium for sensitization and engagement with relevant stakeholders, to ensure voluntary compliance.
This was disclosed to correspondents in Uyo by the Information and Strategy Commissioner, Comrade Ini Ememobong while informing on the outcome of the meeting which was presided over by Governor Udom Emmanuel.
“The menace of street trading, illegal markets and the attendant risks came up for discussion and council directed that the Ministry of Environment and Security agencies should take steps to immediately dismantle all illegal trading outlets on streets and roads in the state. However, a two week moratorium was granted to allow for sensitization and engagement with relevant stakeholders, to ensure voluntary compliance. At the expiration of the two weeks (effective 21st October, 2021) defaulters are to be arrested and prosecuted,” he stated.
On the recent passage of a Bill into Law banning Open Grazing and other related Matters by the State House of Assembly, the Exco according to Comrade Ememobong has directed a setting up of a Special Compliance Unit to ensure total compliance in the State.
“The report of compliance with Anti-Open grazing Law was presented and EXCO directed that a Special Compliance Unit be inaugurated to ensure total compliance,” the Commissioner added.
