No street trading and illegal structures should be around the state capital In Yenagoa- Gov. Douye Diri
by Yerindideke Kindness Ayibakuro
The Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has ensured the removal of illegal structures and banned street trading around all markets in the capital city of Yenagoa.
This was disclosed in an Executives meeting on Wednesday at Executive Council Chambers, Government House, Yenagoa.
The Governor in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Daniel Alabrah, said the pronouncement was necessitated by the resurgence of clashes between rival cult groups at the Swali market area.
Tarakiri voice newspaper reports that it was recalled at the inception of Governor Diri administration, illegal traders and structures were evacuated from the Swali market to bring sanity to the area but expressed regrets that it had been reoccupied by miscreants and traders.
“There has been a running battle between cult groups around the Swali market. We had earlier dislodged the same cultists at the beginning of this administration and ensured that the market was not obstructed. We also removed the illegal structures and traders.
“However, yesterday (Tuesday), we had clashes between cult groups around Swali market area and traders that had taken over the roads. I hereby direct the Special Advisers on Security Matters and their team to swing into action at the Swali market again.
“From today, no street trading should be found in and around Swali market and all other markets within the state capital”, Gov. Diri said.
Tarakiri voice newspaper reports that the Bayelsa helmsman has directed the Security Advisers to synergise with security agencies to carry out a 24-hour patrol around the Swali market area and other markets to ensure protection of lives and property.
“The mobile courts would be reinstated at the Swali market to prosecute defaulters of the order”, Gov. Diri said.
Recall, Tarakiri Voice newspaper report that, people living and doing business in the popular Tombia market on Wednesday may 5th called on the state Governor, Senator Douye Diri to sand-fill a place for them to trade.
Speaking with our correspondent, Emmanuel Nudubisi, a tricycle driver, said the demolition of the Tombia market has affected everyone including the market women and some tricycle drivers along the Tombia Amasoma road.
Stating that, majority are blaming the Government for not providing a place before demolishing the market.
“Even me I am feeling it, seeing old women running with their food items in the road side because they are scared their food being damage by authorities” he said.
Emmanuel said, “The Government should put efforts on the poor masses by providing a place for the market traders to relocate, so they can feed their families to enable them pay their house rent, children school fees and feeding, since the Government don’t want to see anyone selling along Tombia axis, because of the expansion of road due to the Airport”
On his part, Agbadi Frank, the managing director of Osiri plaza, Said the plaza is owned by Chief Osiri which was built for a period of time now,” this place has never been like this before.
It was last year the State Government came and demolished market across the state capital and not only Tombia market.
It was yesterday we were hearing giggle on the radio that the Government is coming to demolish the market.
Though I’m not in support of the hold-up (traffic) here which is not proper”
“In one side I support what the Government is doing, another area the masses are suffering,
Majority don’t have where to sleep not to talk of having a three square meal in a day.
What I will advice the Government and those close to the Government as a person honestly let him at least create a better place that will be so hygienic for people to stay and do their market, not to be running up and down, people are losing so many things” he stated
Stressing that, People’s parents are here, sisters, brothers and it’s not one family that is doing business here, it comprises of all the tribes in Nigeria.
He noted that, in Bayelsa State it touches every family, whether you are in Yenagoa or outside the state because we have State University.
Most of the traders use their petty trading to train their children up till university level.
Speaking further, he urge the Government to create a place for market women to enable them to take care of their families and train their children.
According to a trader on anonymity said ” as the Government has destroyed the market he should drill and sand- filled a place for us to trade , even if there is no money to build a market, we can build a small structure to sell till the Government is ready to structure a standard market”. He noted
