The Borno State Urban Planning and Development Board has announced a sweeping ban on street hawking, tricycle operations, and other activities it deems disruptive to Maiduguri’s urban environment.
The crackdown is aimed at restoring order and safety in the bustling metropolis, according to the board’s General Manager, Mr. Limán Mustapha.
In a statement released on Friday, Mustapha explained that the decision aligns with the Borno State Urban Planning and Development Law of 2002. The banned activities include street hawking, tricycle operations, and the work of generator mechanics in areas such as the Post Office and Monday Market.
Furthermore, activities on pedestrian walkways, junctions, and roundabouts have been prohibited, alongside the sale of engine oil on road reservations and the dumping of sand or construction materials on roads. The mixing of cement and construction of boreholes along roadsides have also been outlawed.
Mustapha stressed the urgency of the directive, stating, “The board has no alternative but to arrest and prosecute defaulters in a court of law.” He emphasized that the measures were essential to creating a clean, safe, and organized urban environment in Maiduguri and other parts of the state.
Mustapha pointed out that the board had given those affected by the ban ample notice to vacate their sites immediately.
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In his statement, Mustapha urged residents and business owners to support the initiative by complying with the new regulations. “This is not about punishment; it is about making our urban areas more livable for everyone,” he noted.
The ban, while seen by some as a necessary step to improve the city’s aesthetics and functionality, is likely to have a significant impact on those who rely on the banned activities for their livelihoods. The board, however, insists that adherence to the law is critical to ensuring long-term benefits for all residents.
As the government moves to enforce these new regulations, all eyes are on how this policy will reshape the daily rhythms of life in Maiduguri.
