A’Ibom government inaugurates enforcement team on scavenging, motorcycles and open grazing

The Akwa Ibom state government has set up a joint task force to enforce implementation of its decisions on banning scavenging in the 31 local government council areas of the state, motorcyclists within the metropolis, and open grazing.

Inaugurating the task force yesterday in Uyo, the Special Assistant to the governor on security matters and special services, Mr. Iniobong Ekong, said the duties of the task force include enforcement of the law on open grazing and other related laws.

It would 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 in the wake of the death of three persons caused by fracas between scrap scavengers and indigenes of Oku community in Uyo council area.

According to him, government action has become necessary to facilitate government directives that were obeyed to the latter for the safety and security of the people.

He added that the enforcement became apt in order to tackle any internal insecurity in the state, noting that most heinous crimes such as rape, burglary, stealing were being perpetrated with the use of motorcycles.

“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, the government has not in any way positioned itself to block peoples’ 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 business ‘entrepreneurs’ who want to survive and grow their business 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 the government has the responsibility to guarantee freedom, safety, and peace for all.

“Consequent upon this, the government has set up enforcement team on the ban to move around to ensure total compliance”

Ekong announced that a mobile court would be sitting in Ibom Hall, Uyo for the trial of defaulters, adding that motorcycles seized would be crushed publicly as arrangements have been concluded with a crushing company from Aba, Abia State, which would be performing the exercise every two weeks.

Addressing the law enforcement officers, composed of men and officers of the Nigerian Police, the Military, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence, he charged them to be diligent and not to engage in physical combat with defaulters as there are existing laws waiting for defoulters.

He warned that no one was exempted from the ban especially officers that ride motorcycles in the banned zone, disclosing that, governor Udom Emmanuel has approved allowance and welfare package for them.