Well done to the governor of Rivers state, Rt. Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi for his action against street and roadside traders/hawkers in the Port Harcourt metropolis. The governor meant well to sanitize the roads and streets to make Port Harcourt the Garden City. He had done what he deemed fit to do, but there are few things for him to take note of.
Firstly, Port Harcourt markets are too congested. Secondly, some hawkers cannot pay rents for shops either in the markets or elsewhere. Thirdly hawkers operate mini trading business and have insufficient capital to start up full time business.
The adverse effects are abject poverty and increase in crimes. Solution: Government should embark on full employment and skill acquisition programmes backed by enough capital to participants to start a business on their own.
Godpower Kponi, Port Harcourt.
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