News Investigators/ Some traders at the Zone 3 Neighbourhood Center, FCT, have expressed concern over the high cost of doing business in the territory.
The traders told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja that the area had been in a deplorable condition for a long time now.
They further told NAN that the area lacked adequate amenities, adding that shops were becoming unaffordable.
Obiora Iheanacho, furniture trader, said the limited space at the temporary site had resulted to parking challenges, with traders and customers jostling for available spaces to either park their vehicles or do business.
“Most of us deal with furniture, but the shops are too small, and it is making our operation difficult,” he said.
Mr Iheanacho called on the government to build modern shops that would meet the needs of traders.
Mr Obiora Okeke, a trader, called on the government to remove abandoned vehicles in front of the building to create parking space.
“It is a safety hazard and a major inconvenience. We need a solution to this parking problem to ensure that our customers can access our shops easily,” he said.
Similarly, Mrs Blessing Joseph, another trader, said that the high cost of shop rentals has become a major concern to the traders.
“I am struggling to keep up with the annual costs of rent which is between N1.5 million and N2 million.
“We need more affordable options to survive. The government should look into ways of regulating rent prices to make it more affordable,” Joseph said.
Meanwhile, Mrs Martha Ubeh, another trader, told NAN that the poor sanitation at the front of the market building had become a health concern.
“The state of the toilets is embarrassing and unhealthy. We need better sanitation facilities to maintain a clean and healthy environment,” she said.
NAN
