All street vendors in the state of Abia, particularly those along the recently repaired roadways in Aba and Umuahia, have been ordered by the government to remove their wares by July 1st, failing which they risk severe penalties.
On behalf of Commissioner Otumchere Oti, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Works, Izuchukwu Onwughara, released a statement on Thursday that included this information.
The government also took issue with those who threw trash into drainage systems and with mechanics who used sections of the highways as makeshift workshops.
Read Also: Abia: PDP Pressures Otti to Publicize Rehabilitated Road Projects
The declaration states that anyone whose actions endanger the longevity of the roadways will face severe consequences.
The statement says, “The government is reminding the public that it is not permitted to conduct business on the state’s newly built and reconstructed roads or to engage in other unwholesome activities like disposing of waste in drainage systems, directing sewage and borehole water onto asphalted roads, or having mechanics work on cars alongside the roads.
“Since these actions shorten the lifespan of the roadways, they will no longer be permitted.