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B N W: Biafra Nigeria World News |
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Traders lose N1bn goods to demolition at FCT IHUOMA CHIEDOZIE, Abuja ABUJA Traders lost not less than N1 billion worth of goods and properties to the demolition of illegal shops and markets by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Authority. Making this known after a meeting with FCT Minister, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, on Tuesday, the leader of the traders delegation and chairman of the FCT Auto dealers Association, Chief Ben Ogbonna, called for a level playing ground in the FCT to ensure the survival of the masses. According to him, illegal trading on streets and unauthorised spaces within markets was the result of "the hijack of Abuja markets and shops by highly placed individuals in government offices who are not really traders." Ogbonna explained that the unhealthy situation had resulted in the exploitation of the traders, which rubs down on the consumers in form of exhorbitant costs. He pointed out that the smallest shop in the markets went for N300,000 per year, way beyond the reach and means of the ordinary traders, adding that the situation placed the shops within the power of those that could afford to pay, although they are not the traders the markets were meant for. Ogbonna further highlighted the problem FCT traders were facing in acquiring cornershops, which were being sold at not less than N3 million in the city and environs. The traders lamented that they had suffered heavy losses from the demolition their shops and subsequently many of them were facing destitution. Ogbonna added that motor parts dealers in the FCT lost more than N400 million to the demolition, but he expressed hope that the FCT Minister, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, would come to their aid. This hope was based on what they termed "favourable response the minister gave them when they met him over these issues." According to Ogbonna, "the minister told us that henceforth anybody who does not have any business being a market trader cannot get market allocation." The traders are also hopeful that the minister will fulfil his promise to decentralise the location of the FCT Auto market which had been sited in Tungamaji Village. This, according to Ogbonna, was to make it more accessible for motorists and customers who need their services. The traders declared their readiness to work with government as partners in progress, calling for an enabling environment. Ogbonna added that they were ready to build and develop markets on their own it government will provide the necessary infrastructures and land allocations. |
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