Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has issued a prohibition on street trading within Abuja.
Wike made the statement on Tuesday while reading the management staff of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) the riot act.
He attributes the ban to his belief that individuals who engage in activities like selling corn and street hawking contribute to the insecurity and criminal occurrences in the nation’s capital.
He urged them to be committed to doing the “right things”.
“The important thing we must do is to ensure that Abuja is back to what it ought to be. I moved around Abuja and found out there is total darkness in most of the places.
“What we need to do is to ensure light comes back as soon as possible.”
He said Abuja should be kept clean, adding, “If you are in charge of sanitation, will call you at any time of the day.
“We shouldn’t allow motor parks all over the place. Something must be done as soon as possible. If you cannot meet up my standard, say it now so that we can change you.”
Wike noted that even though times are hard, that should not be an excuse for lawlessness in the capital city.
He said, “Street trading is prohibited. People selling corn will drop their waste indiscriminately and these are the things that cause insecurity,l. Criminals come to buy and use the opportunity to spy and give information to criminals. It is imperative we clear street hawkers.
“Development control is a serious crisis area, we have to stop. Why are there illegal structures and shanties everywhere? We will demolish any illegal structures. No matter how highly placed, the structure will come down.”