The Abia State Government, through the Commissioner for Information and Culture Prince Okey, has announced the prescription of street trading in the state. The decision was taken to address the spate of insecurity and vandalism activities in public schools.
Okay while briefing journalists in the state capital, Umuahia, after the State executive council meeting urged the President Generals of Town Unions, their executives, Traditional Rulers and other stakeholders to take ownership of the public schools in their communities.
The information commissioner said, “We found out that people are busy trying to vandalise school properties and this ugly trend needs to be stopped so that the effort the government is making at reforming the education sector will not be in vain.”
According to him, henceforth, enforcement against street trading and illegal motor park operations in Aba and Umuahia would commence. He, therefore , advised those engaging in such acts to desist forthwith.
Supporting Okey’s position, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Uzor Nwachukwu said the government has been merciful and so far shown understanding and applied human face to the enforcement and would now act accordingly.
He said, “Now we want to get into enforcement, having pleaded with our people for the past three months, we believe we have done enough. We owe all Abians a duty to ensure our cities are safe, that’s what we want to achieve and that is in the interest of all Abians”.