Chidi Tony/ Akwa Ibom State government has on Monday, January 17, 2022 set up a multi faceted task force that would ensure the enforcement of ban on scavenging, ban on okada riding in the Uyo metropolis and capital city as well as ban on open grazing and other sundry laws in the state.
It could be recalled that the state government through the Secretary to the state government, Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem had on January 4,2022 banned the activities of scrap scavengers in the state at the wake of death of three persons caused by a fallout between scrap scavengers and the Indigenes of the community.
The Senior Special Assistant to governor Udom Emmanuel on security matters and special services, Capt. Iniubong Ekong (Retd.) in an interview with journalists said the inauguration of the task force was to ensure that government’s directives were obeyed to the later for the safety and security of the people.
He added that the enforcement became imperative inorder to tackle any internal insecurity in the state noting that most heinous crimes such as rape, burglary, stealing from investigations were being perpetuated with the use of motorcycles.
Speaking further, he said, “we have seen ugly development that Okada has started creeping in especially in Uyo metropolis, and part of Uyo capital city. This has not in any way helped the positivity of our security architecture
“Again we have seen the menace of the scrap operators on the livelihood and peace of our people. Actually government has not in any way positioned itself to block peoples’ lead sources of livelihood, but, the freedom of one to conduct business must not impede on the right of existence of the other.
“Government will not keep quiet and allow a set of bussiness ‘entrepreneurs’ who want to survive and grow their bussiness at the expense of freedom and livelihood of any other person. Every other citizen resident or organic is equal to the other in all ramifications and government has the responsibility to guarantee freedom, safety and peace for all.
“Consequent upon this, government has set up enforcement team on ban to move around to ensure total compliance”
Ekong announced that there would be a mobile court sitting in Ibom Hall Uyo, for trial of defaulters adding that motorcycles seized would be crushed publicly even as he disclosed arrangement with the crushing company from Aba Abia State, which would be performing the exercise every two weeks.
When asked where the governor draws his powers to place ban on scrap scavenging, he said, ” If you say there is no law backing the governor’s pronouncement is laughable because scrap itself is a direct consequence of environmental cleanliness or otherwise, if there is a law to have protection on the environment and consequent laws on imfringement then scrap as an environmentally disorderly function is totally included in environmental laws of the state.
Addressing the law enforcement officers, which included men and officers of the Nigerian Police, the Military, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence, Captain Ekong charged them to be diligent and not to engage in physical combat with defaulters as there is existing law waiting for them,(Defaulters)
While noting that no one is exempted from the ban especially the officers that ride okada in the banned zones, Ekong disclosed that governor Udom Emmanuel has approved allowance and welfare package for them.
Also speaking, CSP Henry Kaboshio urged the team not to compromise stressing, “just arrest offenders and allow the law to take it’s cause.”
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