Market relocation: Traders appeal for time

Our Reporter

Traders at the former Umuahia main market, popularly known as Isi-Gate, have appealed to Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu to give them more time to relocate to the government approved markets.

Some traders, who spoke to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Umuahia yesterday, said they needed time to secure sheds in other markets in Umuahia and environs.

Trading, especially in meat, second-hand clothing, and others, began at the place shortly after the main market was demolished and relocated to Ubani Ibeku, near Umuahia.

Worried by the development, the governor, in August, announced the government’s plan to end the illegal trading.

He told the traders the government would relocate them to Ubani Ibeku, Orie Ugba and Amuzukwu markets in Umuahia.

During a phone-in on the state radio station on December 25, Ikpeazu reaffirmed the December 31 deadline for relocation.

The decision left the traders agitated, especially after  appealing to the governor during a protest to the Government House.

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A trader, Mr. Johnson Onwuegbu (meat vendor), said they knew of the deadline but only needed more time to secure space in the government’s approved markets.

Onwuegbu said: “The government said today (yesterday) is our last day here, but we are only appealing for more time. We were asked to go to Ubani, Amuzukwu and Orie Ugba, but many of us are yet to secure a space.

“You have to pay so much money to get a space, unlike this place that we pay daily token to the task force. The government should give us  till January 31, 2020.”

Grocery dealer Mrs. Gladys Udechukwu said she did not have money to rent a shop at Ubani or Amuzukwu.

“I don’t even know where to go after today. I’m the breadwinner of my family, following my husband’s death. I only pay a token daily to put my table here, but now that they are asking us to leave, what will I do?” she lamented.

Mrs. Nkechi Okafor, who sells used clothing, said: “I was among the people who went to see the governor… on this relocation issue. He wanted us to move out earlier but we begged him to extend the relocation till December 31. I will be glad if the governor can give us more time, say by end of January …”