Cross River Ministry of Environment issues 7-day ultimatum to traders on illegal structures

By Admin

The Cross River State Commissioner for Environment, Hon. Mfon Bassey, has given a 7-day ultimatum to traders selling their goods on illegal structures along major streets in Calabar to relocate their businesses to Watts or Marian markets or face demolition.

Hon. Bassey gave the ultimatum in Calabar during an inspection tour from the Nipost office in Calabar down to the watt market in view of clearing the hawking activities on the pedestrian way to allow for free flow of vehicular movements and persons trekking around the area.

While addressing the hawkers at different points, he said that the state government was committed to a clean and green environment, hence the need to relocate all road side sellers back to the market.

He told the hawkers that the Ministry had earlier issued the ultimatum on December 27 2019, asking them to remove all illegal structures, shanties and containers off the road side.

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The Commissioner also advised them to remove all illegal structures erected on the drainage system in other to allow for free flow of water during the rainy season to avoid flooding.

He said that the ministry had also served the owners of the illegal structures on Hewett Abatement Nuisance Notices to vacate from the area.

He said that defaulters of the notice given will face stiffer sanctions and demolition of their structures.

The Commissioner also inspected the trading activities by mobile filling station, urging the hawkers to relocate from the highway.

Also, drivers who have formed an illegal park on the walkway and verge opposite the stadium were asked to relocate from the spot.

Hon. Mfon explained that the move was to ensure a clean and green Calabar free of illegal structures.

He added that under his leadership as Commissioner, the state will witness an atmosphere of beauty and a warm serenity that would be attractive to investors and to also promote the industrialisation drive of Governor Ben Ayade.

See photos below…