By CrossRiverWatch Admin
A petty trader, unnamed on Friday in Calabar threatened task force staff in the ministry of environment that she will prefer being crushed by a truck than allow the task force take her means of livelihood; a business worth about NGN5,000 only.
The mild drama happened at the Oando fuelling station along the Murtala Muhammed highway when the task force led by the Commissioner for Environment, Engineer Mike Eraye attempted to confiscate items sold by the petty traders in front of the fuelling station after weeks of issuing them a notice to move away.
The woman then jumped under a parked truck commonly referred to as “Tipper”and began wailing that she will prefer having her live taken and be crushed by the long truck other than her means of livelihood being taken from her.
The scene is said to have left Mr. Eraye and his team in a fix as the truck had the seized goods inside. And, despite threats, the woman remained lying down under the truck and next to the rear tires.
It was unclear if her goods were returned to her as at press time.
The state government has over the years attempted to clamp down on the petty traders along highbrow streets and social centers in a bid to maintain its serene and eco friendly look.
But, a weak implementation system has always seen them return a few hours later.
The current administration is said to have used a more forcible approach as soil for the planting of grasses to beautify the city are usually dumped in big heaps where the traders ply that trade forcing them to seek alternatives as they risk being crushed by vehicles if they get any closer to the road.
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