“Defaulters To Pay ₦100,000 fine for Flaunting Government Orders” — Okey Ihemamma

The Permanent Secretary of Abia state ministry of industry and Small and Medium Enterprises (SME), Okey Ihemamma, has issued a fine of ₦100,000 for all shop owners at the mechanic and spare parts market, Clifford/School Road, Aba, who defaulted government orders by breaking paper seals to trade. 

This notice was issued on Saturday, October 25, 2025 as the Abia state harmonized task force (ABHTF) with the Ministry of Industry and Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) continued a joint enforcement to drive out mechanics and spare parts dealers at Clifford Road, Aba, Abịa State. 

The exercise was a follow up after the initial close down of trading activities in the area and its environs on Wednesday, October 15, 2025. This development came as it was noticed that shop owners were flaunting government order, breaking the seals to access their shops during evening hours to trade. 

Led by the Aba area commander of the taskforce, Uche Wogu and the commissioner for Industry and Small and Medium Enterprises (SME), Mike Akpara represented by the Permanent Secretary of Abia state ministry of industry and Small and Medium Enterprises (SME), Okey Ihemamma, this enforcement goes further than the previous as metals are used to weld across iron gates and 2 by 2 wooden lengths used to nail across wooden doors. 

Okey Ihemamma emphasized that shops sealed now have a two week window period to appeal to the ministry to allow them access their shops to park out their things and move to the mechanic village.

It was stated that the penalty fee of N100,000 will be paid by the defaulters at the expiration of the two weeks before they can take out anything from their shops. A fine of N300,000 has also been set for anyone who goes further to break the iron bars used to seal the doors. 

“We are back here with the taskforce because we have defaulters who have gone against instructions the government gave. Instead of coming to discuss with us or even going to the mechanic village at Ovoom, some persons here broke the deal and opened their shops to continue trading. 

This is a violation of government order and it is a crime. But because we tamper justice with mercy, we will not take up up with the law. We have sealed the doors of shops here. You have 2 weeks to write to the ministry, appealing for us to come and open your shop while you move to the mechanic village.

Uche Wogu while commenting on the exercise said the taskforce is up to ensure that traders abide by the laid out government rules and regulations to ensure a peaceful and harmonious Abia. 

“I and my team are dedicated to ensuring that Aba is sane again. Let me use this medium to say that no trader is allowed to sell on the gutters or on the roads. We said it last time that they are contributing to dirt. 

There are market stalls. Everyone should go inside the market and pick a stall. That way, things are coordinated. We are out to ensure that coordination is achieved.”

However, this activity at Clifford Road continues to raise mixed reactions among members of the public who have risen up issues like proximity, road network and high cost of shops at the new mechanic village and others as threats to the successful movement of the traders to the new location.