Before Governor Emmanuel assumed office, roadside trading was one of the most worrisome challenges to the Akwa Ibom environment and was fast becoming an untamable culture. Putting an end to such was a colossal war that could hardly be won without the intelligence and fierce resolve of the warlord. Governor Emmanuel had to wage that war with grit, verve and gusto, through the Ikim led AKSEPWMA.
On may 11, 2019, the drive to sustain the cleanliness status by curbing the menace of road side trading with attendant environmental negative consequences in Akwa Ibom State, graduated to its climax as the sanitation Court sitting in Uyo convicted not fewer than 12 road side traders for blocking access roads, displaying wares on Pedestrians and recreational centres as well as selling at unauthorized locations within Ibom Plaza in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital.
During the Prosecution, the accused persons pleaded guilty of trading at unauthorised locations and littering of environment, which were and are environmental offences under section 4(M) and Punishable under Section 38 of Akwa Ibom State Public Health Law cap. 103 Vol. 5 of 2000.
On the pronouncement of the charges by the Court Clerk, the presiding Magistrate sentenced all those who pleaded guilty to 3 months imprisonment with an option of fine, while the case of those who pleaded not guilty were adjourned till May 27, 2019. These were strong indications that the Akwa Ibom State Government was determined to make the environment clean and safe.
Earlier on Tuesday, April 30, 2019 during a coordinated operation of the Akwa Ibom State Environmental Protection and Waste Management Agency’s Task Force
Chairman of AKSEPWMA, Obong (Dr.) Prince Ikim, led member of the House Committee on Environment, AKHA on Public Awareness against street trading in Uyo, 2021within Uyo, more than 10 victims were apprehended and prosecuted for indiscriminately dumping of refuse within the State Capital Territory. A month before, the Waste management boss, Ikim, had repeatedly warned all citizens and indigenes of the state against indiscriminate dumping of refuse. In addition, 7days Ultimatum which ended on April 9, was also issued to road side Traders within Ibom Plaza to relocate to the lock up stalls and market shades inside Ibom plaza market for free flow of vehicles on the roads, all these fell on deaf ears.
“The environmental law stipulates that refuse can only be disposed at designated points and whoever dumps refuse or waste anywhere apart from the designated points must be prosecuted. All road side traders within Ibom plaza must relocate to the Plaza market. Taxi and keke drivers must have waste bins in their vehicles, if we catch anyone littering the streets from a vehicle of any sort (private or public) such person(s) had violated the state environmental law and will be made to face the full weight of law” He added.
At this level, street trading was no more business as usual in the state capital, this war was getting tougher as the war Lord was not ready to compromise the cleanliness status of the state.
