Alex Otti Cracks Down on Street Vendors and Mechanics Along Newly Paved Roads

The government of Abia State, under the leadership of Governor Alex Otti, has issued a directive mandating street vendors operating on newly paved roads in Aba and Umuahia to vacate the areas or face severe penalties by July 1st.

The announcement was conveyed on Thursday by Izuchukwu Onwughara, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Works, on behalf of Commissioner Otumchere Oti.

In a statement released in Umuahia and addressed to journalists, the government expressed concern over various activities detrimental to road durability, including street vending on newly constructed and rehabilitated roads, illegal mechanics’ workshops, and improper waste disposal into drainage systems.

The government emphasized its commitment to preserving the lifespan of the roads and warned that those who fail to comply with the directive will face legal consequences. Specifically, vendors operating along major roads such as Owerri Road in Umuahia and Kenth Road, Jubilee Road, Ngwa Road, Port Harcourt Road, Obioha Road, and Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway by Ariaria Market Junction in Aba were given a seven-day ultimatum to relocate.

The directive underscores the government’s stance on enforcing regulations aimed at maintaining infrastructure integrity and enhancing public safety across Abia State.