By Shadrach Okon
Uyo Capital City Development Authority (UCCDA) has carried out a last minute sensitization and stakeholders engagement exercise against street trading in Uyo metropolise.
The sensitization and stakeholders engagement took place yesterday Thursday 30th January, around Ibom Plaza, major junctions, and flyovers within the capital city.
Speaking during the sensitization exercise, the Chairman Uyo Capital Development Authority Hon.Anietie Eka said the sensitization and stakeholders engagement exercise was necessary before the agency embark on enforcement exercise against street trading within the capital city.
Rt .Hon. Eka while interacting with stakeholders at Ibom Plaza, said while Akwa Ibom State Goverment under the leadership of Governor Umo Eno encourages entrepreneurship among residents and visitors in the state, it frowns at street trading because of the potential dangers.
Rt. Hon. Anietie Eka noted with dismay that street trading remains a serious threat to human life as many commuters and road users have lost their lives in the state because of the illegal activities of street traders.
Speaking during the exercise, Edidiong Vincent, the Chairman of Ibom Plaza Management appreciated Uyo Capital City Development Authority for supporting the state government in the actualising the vision of turning Uyo to a smart city and bringing decency to the business environment in the state. He promised that traders within Ibom Plaza will utilise the trading space within the Plaza to conduct their business.
Edidiong Vincent highlighted some of the challenges faced by traders within Ibom Plaza to include: lack of light within the Plaza, inadequate and poor sanitary facility at the Plaza.
Also speaking, a long standing trader within the Plaza Mr Ofonime Godwin, corroborated with the points earlier highlighted by Edidiong Vincent and stressed the need for government to create a conducive environment for traders to trade with the Plaza facility.
Responding, Rt. Hon. Anietie Eka, said as a leader who follows due process in implementing government policies and programmes, the sensization and stakeholders engagement became necessary before enforcing government policy against street trading in the state.
“I have heard your request, we are going to look into it. We are going to partner with the ministry of tourism to create a conducive environment for traders at the Plaza.We want people to come to Akwa Ibom and do business in the state. Let traders go back to various markets in the state and display their wares for patronage, because goverment will not tolerate street trading within Uyo from February.” Rt. Hon. Anietie Eka said.
During the sensitization and enagement tour, UCCDA team visited strategic locations within the capital city like Ibom Plaza, Ikpa Road by Uniuyo, Itam Roadside Market, Ikot Oku Ikono flyover, Nung Oku Park among others.
