By Kamsi Anayo
Traders at Oduigbo section of the Ochanja Central Market, Onitsha, the commercial hub of Anambra state, have organized a protest against moves by the state government ti demolish their shops.
The traders, mostly women, who were evicted from their shops were bewildered m that the government gave them only two days to vacate the market after which their shops would be demolished.
Some of the placards read, “Council chairman, Emeka Orji, what have we done to you, we are widows and eke our living from Oduigbo market; Gov. Soludo come to our rescue, they want to demolish the shops in the market to acquire more shops to the ones they have”, among others.
Over 700 shops on the ground floor and 500 upstairs worth millions of Naira which some traders use as warehouses to store goods have been earmarked for demolition.
Mr Emeka Orji, Chairman of Onitsha South Local Government Area in a statement “Final Notice Of Demolition” directed that the exercise will take effect from Sunday, July 2.
“Take final notice that Onitsha and state government’s planned reconstruction of Oduigbo market will commence with site clearing from July 2, 2023.
“Traders and residents in the area are strongly advised to assist by removing their wares and obstructions along the site,” Orji had directed in the notice.
When contacted, Chief Bonaventure Muo, Caretaker Chairman of the market, and one of the accused of the plot to throw over 1500 traders out of business, said he had no hands or plan against fellow traders.
Muo said he was said just a messenger obeying official government directives to the traders.
“I only deliver the message given to me by government. It is not my project. I am touched as their leader, but my hands are tired, I can’t challenge government.” He said
Muo said that the government’s decision to rebuild the shops constructed sometime in the 90s would be for the benefit of the traders.
“I have no such mandate with my 21-committee members from the state government to go into restructuring of shops in the market. I am a trader and no trader will feel happy that his or her means livelihood will be destroyed.
“I invited the stakeholders in the market and informed them about the government decision. I pleaded with them to take their protest to the seat of government in Awka, the state capital to demand explanations. I don’t have a hand in the plan to demolish any shop in the market.
“But some group of stakeholders in the market have turned down this noble decision, and are instigating some traders, mostly women to stage protest. This is the second time in two months of such protests.” He added
He said that the state deputy governor, Dr Onyekachi Obezim had visited two months back where he told the traders that government’s intention to rebuild the shops at Oduigbo section of the market.
According to him, the deputy governor met and interviewed those who have shops at the section of the market and informed them of government plan.
“Government was also not encouraged that some of the traders are selling goods along Iweka road, right in front of the market and want to bring them back into the market.
“Government wants to avoid accidents and street trading which is constituting nuisance to the state. They are not sacking them moving them to a better environment.
“They were informed that government will complete the restructuring work within six months and the traders will have their shops back with better access road.
“Government told us they are searching for an empty space of land where the traders would be relocated while the reconstruction lasted.”
Leader of the protesters, Chief Chukwudi Eke, said they were given two days (Sunday and Monday) to vacate the market.
“There was a time government came and told us that the market was dark that there should be light in the market by renovating it.
“We told them that we can do that by ourselves to their taste,” he said.
