The Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Nyema Weli, has condemned the uncooperative attitude of illegal traders at Sangana Street, Port Harcourt.
Dr. Weli made the condemnation on Saturday while monitoring the May 2013 sanitation exercise in Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor Local Government Areas.
He lamented that despite caution and sensitization, traders have remained adamant to keeping a clean environment, however he noted that there was partial compliance of traders in the fruit garden market.
The Commissioner, represented by the Director of Environment and Safety in the Ministry, Dr. Ugochukwu Nmegbu said, “We cannot remain a garbage city”.
He said that Government would not use force, but would employ due process in tackling the menace.
He explained that erring traders would be identified and arraigned in batches in Environmental Court to enforce compliance with the law.
The Commissioner said that there would be a routine inspection of markets to ensure that they are kept clean.
Also speaking, the State Director, National Orientation Agency, Mr. Oliver Wolugbom, charged the people of the State not to see the sanitation exercise as a ritual.
Mr. Wolugbom advocated minimum force by arresting defaulters to serve as a deterrent and ensure that the people complied with the environmental law of the State.
