In its determined efforts to ensure environmental cleanliness, orderliness and decency, within the Uyo Capital City, the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources, through its Environmental Enforcement Unit, in the early hours of yesterday, raided and demolished illegal markets located at Mbiabong Ikot Essien and Mbiabong Anyanya, in the Uyo Council Area of the state.

Members of the Environmental Enforcement Unit, led by their Head, Mr. Abimelech Mathias, in the operation which lasted for hours, monitored the enforcement unit destroying makeshift shops, road side retailer’s sheds and canopies, erected by the itinerant traders.

Explaining the action to newsmen, Mr. Mathias, stated that “apart from the markets being illegal, they were located under High Tension power line”, which, according to him, “posed a serious threat to lives and properties.”

He warned that the action would be a continuous exercise and cautioned operators of such illegal markets and makeshift shops within the Capital City, to “relocate to government approved sites in their own interest and for the safety of their goods and businesses.”

News Express recalls that on assumption of office last month, the new Commissioner of Environment and Mineral Resources, Dr. Iniobong Essien, had promised to ensure orderliness, improved clean environment and decency within the capital city, and the entire state.