By Stanley Onyekwere
For allegedly hanging around on the streets and other unapproved places within Abuja, the nation’s capital city, a total of 47 Point of Sale (POS) agents may face a Mobile Court, following their arrest by officials of FCT Administration.
Recall that last week, the FCT administration warned that indiscriminate activities of POS operators, especially on the streets and noncommercial areas will no longer be condoned.
It also disclosed that there were intelligence reports and complaints from residents that strange people were roaming about some neighbourhoods, pretending to be POS operators.
Senior Special Assistant to FCT Minister on Monitoring, Inspection and Enforcement, Ikharo Attah who addressed the apprehended POS agents, explained the Minister has no plan to stop POS business, but concerned about security issues surrounding it.
Attah noted that the violators may face a Mobile Court as they have violated some environmental laws, for operating their businesses in an unapproved places.
He reiterated that POS business was not illegal, but operating outside commercial zones and indiscriminately on the streets was an offence.
According to him, “ reports on the arrested violators would go to the Minister, to determine and see if the operators comply with the rules of the city which would not give criminals the Shield to disguise as POS operators”.
Also Speaking, the Assistant Director, Enforcement at AEPB, Kaka Bello opined that environmental laws forbid business activities at residential areas and on the streets.
Bello disclosed that AEPB Enforcement team was prepared to give effect to the restrictions on the POS operations.
He further explained that those who operate at commercial places will have no issue with the team, but violators of the restrictions will be made to face the wrath of the law.
One of the arrested violators, Solomon Wari, a civil servant, said he was arrested while he was in the front of his business centre within a residential area in Wuse zone 6.
While promising to desist from operating on the streets, he noted that he was into the business to support his family.
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