The Cross River State government has ordered street mechanics and spare parts dealers operating along major roads in Calabar to relocate, describing their activities as a public nuisance.
The Commissioner for Environment, Mensah Bassey, issued the directive during a meeting with leaders of mechanics and auto spare parts dealers, warning that those who fail to comply within the stipulated period would be forced out.
Bassey said mechanics operating without designated workshops along Bedwell, King Duke, White House and Victor Akan streets in Calabar South Local Government Area had defaced the city, obstructed traffic and contributed to the deterioration of public infrastructure.
He stressed that the directive was not aimed at legitimate auto spare parts businesses, but at separating spare parts trading from mechanic activities being carried out on public streets.
According to him, mechanics must relocate to designated workshops where their operations can be properly regulated without obstructing traffic or degrading the environment.
The commissioner also urged spare parts dealers to concentrate on their legitimate trade and maintain clean and orderly surroundings.
He said the measure was part of the government’s efforts to restore environmental sanity and improve traffic flow in the affected areas.
Responding on behalf of the dealers, Chairman of the Auto Parts Dealers Association, Felix Odigwe, acknowledged the government’s concerns and pledged the association’s cooperation in keeping their business areas clean and orderly.
Odigwe also assured the government that the dealers would discourage activities capable of obstructing public roads or contributing to environmental degradation.
