GOV UMAHI REOPENS SCRAP MARKET, CAUTIONS OPERATORS AGAINST ILLEGAL DEALINGS

REPORTER: AMECHI ODO

Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State has announced the reopening of scrap market, which was shut down three months ago for allegedly dealing in stolen materials.

In a public address in Abakaliki, Governor Umahi urged the operators to desist from selling and buying of excavated rods, cables and other materials vandalized and stolen from government infrastructure and installations.

He also condemned a recent protest at the gate of a Federal High Court Abakaliki over Ebubeagu disbandment, noting that though residents had rights to peaceful protest, they must not take such to the court premises.

On the cash crunch, Governor Umahi warned Point of Sale (POS) operators to desist from excessive charges which, had inflicted more pains on the residents following the redesigning of some Naira notes.

He directed security agents to arrest and prosecute anyone collecting above the normal charges, emphasising that the government was engaging relevant authorities to resolve the problem.

The Governor appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to do more towards ameliorating the hardship Nigerians were passing through due to the scarcity of the new Naira notes and announced the release of palliatives to local government Chairmen for distribution to residents across party lines and religious leanings.

EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU