Gift Worlu, Obio/Akpor LGA of Rivers State, says the action is for safety and environmental sanitation
…When the victims were fined, forced to do clean-up work, they were moaning
A major ban on street trading has been launched in Obio/Akpor, considered one of the richest local council areas in Nigeria.
This repression has already led to outcry as those arrested have been fined and subjected to forced physical labor of sanitation duties for several days. Traders who spoke to journalists said they faced new hardships after being driven off the streets as they said shops were inaccessible.
The order against trading on the Rumokoro flyover was issued a few days ago, but most traders thought it was a general warning, until those arrested discovered that it was genuine.
It is understood that the stricture will spread to all parts of the local council, which is bigger than half of the state capital and is one of the largest LGAs in Rivers State as it has a tendency to extend to Ogoni Road, Aba Road, Owerri Road and Bayelsa Road while the other section of Port Harcourt mainly shares boundary with Ocean or River.
Confirming the clampdown, the Chairman of Obio/Akpor, Gift Worlu, in his capacity as a lecturer from the Department of Management, University of Port Harcourt, issued an update to all stakeholders on what he termed the ongoing enforcement of immediate and total ban on the activities of all forms of market, street, roadside and hawkers in the vicinity of Okoro-Nu-Odo flyover and along Rumuodomayya Road leading to the Council Secretariat and within the affected corridor, as That was announced in the press release dated. 19 January 2026.
The statement read: “The overall objective of this restriction is to enhance the safety of residents and commuters by reducing congestion, road blockage and related risks such as accidents and criminal activities associated with unregulated street trading. It is also aimed at improving urban aesthetics, promoting cleanliness and restoring order in our public spaces for a more livable and attractive and aesthetically pleasing environment in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
“Following the issuance of the directive, which comes into force with immediate effect and remains in full force 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including Monday to Sunday, weekends and public holidays; the Council's Enforcement Task Force, in collaboration with relevant security agencies, has commenced strict monitoring and compliance operations in the designated areas.”
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The statement said the Chairman is pleased that the implementation measures have yielded positive results in the early days of implementation. “Many people who were found violating the ban by indulging in illegal street trading, hawking or roadside vending have been caught by the task force of the council in collaboration with security agencies.
“In line with the Council's approach to enforcement and compliance, which is fair, firm and strictly guided by existing laws and regulations, the following offenders have been cautioned, signed formal undertakings, and pledged never to repeat such violations.”
He gave 10 names of people who were arrested and given physical punishment. “Each of these individuals has paid the prescribed administrative fine and are currently undertaking three days of mandatory community service with the Environmental Sanitation Unit of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council.”
The strictness has become a bit stringent by threatening to punish any shop owner who aids, abets, or allows (including providing space, encouragement or toleration for such activities) any shop owner indulging in the violation to sell his goods in front of his shop/stall.
He hinted at a wider exercise across the entire local council area, an action which could lead to high tensions as hundreds of thousands of people living on the streets and makeshift shops would be at risk. The shops are said to have become beyond the reach of most small traders.
The Chairman said that all security agencies, community leaders, shop owners, market owners, market associations and the general public have once again been urged to support and cooperate with the Council.
