The Ministry of Works in Rivers State has issued a warning to residents of the state to refrain from burning tyres on roads as a rite of passage into the new year.

According to the Ministry, anyone caught burning tyres on any road will face criminal charges.

The Commissioner for Works, Elloka Tasie-amadi disclosed this in a statement on Friday.

Damage or destruction of public property is against the law, according to the Commissioner, and is punishable by law.

He urged all council Chairmen and security agencies to guarantee that all laws pertaining to the protection of public property, in general, and this instruction, in particular, are followed.

The statement reads;

“The Rivers state Ministry Of Works hereby wishes to intimate all and sundry that it is against the law to damage or destroy public property, an action subject to criminal prosecution. Residents are therefore warned against the act of burning tyres on asphalted roads built with tax payers money amidst paucity of funds, as a rite of passage into the new year. Government will ensure the prosecution of any persons found burning tyres on any road.”

The Commissioner also warned all Traditional Rulers that if their subjects or wards burn tyres on the road, they will face the full force of the law.

“Local Government Chairmen and Security agencies are enjoined to ensure adherence and compliance with all laws regarding the protection of public property in general and adherence to this advice in particular. Traditional Rulers are advised to discourage their subjects or wards against burning tyres on the road or face the full wrath of the law. Please note that action against erring persons may be taken during or after the act,” the statement further reads.

𝑳𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒕?
𝑾𝒆’𝒅 𝒃𝒆 𝒅𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒚𝒐𝒖. 𝑷𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒆 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒂 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒐𝒙 𝒃𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒘!