Umahi Orders Street Vendors To Be Arrested On Federal Highways

UMUAHIA—Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, weekend, ordered the immediate arrest of some recalcitrant traders plying their trade on the completed section of the Aba axis of the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway, which is currently under total reconstruction.

This is as the former Governor of Ebonyi State lamented that President Bola Tinubu is passing through sleepless nights on how to deal with the barrage of problems created by the bad economy he inherited.

Umahi, who expressed his dissatisfaction over the activities of the street traders regretted that while the President is making efforts to fix the country, some citizens are busy compounding the situation.

The Works Minister, who was in Aba to inspect the project, directed the security operatives attached to his motorcade to arrest the traders. The enraged minister said the erring traders would be prosecuted for economic sabotage.

According to him, the traders showed no respect for the project, noting that the road had been in dilapidated condition for years. The former governor said he would advise the Abia State government to set up a task force to go after street traders in Aba.

He said: “It appears the people here like to inflict injuries on themselves. They can’t even allow the contractor to work. They drive against traffic. They use the completed road for parks, trading, and dumping of refuse.

“The whole of Aba is dumping refuse on this road. It is not encouraging at all. I will advise the governor to set up a task force here.

“We wouldn’t like after the Federal Government had spent so much here, we see people building and trading on the road.

“So, the only way out for this work to be completed is for the governor to set up a task force and clear the road.

“The citizens of this country will need to do their bit, while leadership also does its bit. That is the only way it will work.”

Umahi said it was not ideal for some folks to destroy public infrastructure in pursuit of their selfish interests.

“While Mr President is passing through sleepless nights on how to solve the problems of a very bad inherited economy, Nigerians should support him and also support themselves.”

Umahi, however, expressed satisfaction with the job done by the Arab Contractors handling the project.

He attributed delays in the project awarded about 10 years ago, to the high cost of construction materials.

Speaking earlier, the Federal Controller of Works in Abia, Tony Onwubiko, said the project covered about 57km from Abia Tower in Umuahia to the Railway Crossing at Alaoji in Osisioma Local Government Area.

Credit: Vangaurd