Newspaper distributors seek exemption from Rivers State ‘leave the road’ order
Newspaper distributors, going under the aegis of Newspapers Distributors Association of Nigeria (NDAN) Rivers state chapter, has appealed to the Rivers state government to exempt them from the ‘Operation Leave the Road’ policy currently threatening to put them out of business.
A statement signed by the NDAN’s Secretary, Mr. Imoh Micah, and issued in Port Harcourt the state capital yesterday, the group explained that the policy would affect them adversely because newspapers could not be sold in shops or in the markets, but in specific locations on the streets.
The NDAN explained that newspaper vendors were very peaceful and law abiding group of persons and had never constituted a nuisance to the society, particularly to the state government.
According to the Association, “Newspaper distribution is an essential business and, therefore, deserves every respect and should be given good treatment as part of the fourth estate of the realm.”
The newspapers distributors and vendors further appealed to the state governor, Chief Nyesom Ezebunwo Wike, to integrate them into the scheme of things in his government because the body had been creating jobs to over hundreds of Rivers youths, “many of who are university graduates.”
Recalled that Governor Wike, on March 23, 2017, gave a seven-day ultimatum to street traders, including newspaper distributors and vendors, vulcanizers, artisans, and road side mechanics to vacate the roads of Port Harcourt, in a policy tagged ‘Operation Leave the Road’, giving them one week to vacate the roads.
The order, which was signed by Mr. Simeon Nwakaudu, the Special Assistant to the governor on Electronic Media, declared that any person who flouted the directive at the expiration of the one-week ultimatum would be arrested and prosecuted.
