Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Imo State Government has announced a sweeping ban on street trading, hawking, illegal roadside structures, and the loading and offloading of goods along major roads in Owerri, the state capital, in a decisive move to restore order and curb the chaos that has long plagued the city's busiest corridors.
The directive, contained in a joint press statement issued by the General Manager of the Owerri Capital Development Authority (OCDA), Franklin Nkem Nzewodo, and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Monitoring and Compliance, Chinasa Nwaneri, takes immediate effect. The roads affected include Rotobi, Royce, and Douglas, which are all located in the heart of the state capital and are among the busiest routes in Owerri. The government said the measure became necessary because illegal trading, roadside structures, indiscriminate parking and truck offloading were causing traffic congestion, obstructing pedestrians, and creating environmental and public safety hazards. Trading activities along the major roads contribute to traffic obstruction, which sometimes leads to accidents.
According to the government officials, Eke Ukwu Owerri Market, Relief Market, Cluster International Market, and Egbeada International Market remain the designated markets within Owerri Municipal. The authorities stressed that Rotobi, Royce and Douglas roads are not approved trading locations. Traders, business operators, truck owners, drivers, and other affected persons have been directed to relocate their activities to approved markets, designated trading areas, and lawful loading points.
The directive also prohibits heavy-duty trucks, lorries, and other vehicles from using the affected roads as loading, unloading, or offloading points. The move effectively seeks to tackle a familiar problem in busy Nigerian cities: roads gradually becoming extensions of markets, while vehicles are forced to compete for space with traders, customers, and pedestrians.
The government has warned that the directive will not be treated as a mere appeal for cooperation. Those who continue to violate the order could face arrest, prosecution, and fines. The government also warned that illegal structures could be confiscated, removed, or demolished as part of enforcement operations. The authorities urged affected traders and operators to comply with the directive and move their activities to legally approved locations.
The ban is part of the state's efforts to restore order, improve safety, and maintain the cleanliness and functionality of Owerri. For the government, the objective is to reclaim Owerri's major roads from activities that obstruct traffic and create avoidable safety risks, while ensuring that commercial activities are carried out in designated areas.
The directive was issued on Friday, August 14, 2026, according to a report by the official Facebook page of the Senior Special Assistant to the Imo State Government on Creative and Electronic Media, Comrade Ambrose Nwaogwugwu. The enforcement of the ban comes amid ongoing efforts by the state government to sanitise Owerri Metropolis and restore environmental order, public safety, and urban discipline.
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