The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Traders

  • Ugwuanyi plans credit facilities for traders

    Ugwuanyi plans credit facilities for traders

    Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has said his administration is discussing with financial institutions, international corporations and other relevant organisations on how to extend easier and more convenient lines of credit and other facilities to assist the state’s traders grow their businesses.

    Ugwuanyi said his administration was also making efforts to upgrade the capacity of the State Marketing Company to arrange special import services for traders in line its policy trust.

    The governor spoke at a meeting with leaders of the 37 organised markets in the state at the Government House in Enugu.

    He noted that the meeting was convened at his behest “to show appreciation and express our gratitude for all the support and solidarity that you, along with teeming members of your associations, have continued to accord this administration since its inception”.

    Ugwuanyi said his administration was indebted to the traders for the resounding success of the Enugu Traders Empowerment Scheme, which was launched early this year, adding that the scheme was enjoying nationwide acclaim because of their support.

    The governor said his administration would take necessary actions that would improve the traders’ businesses.

    He said: “We will never allow anyone to subject traders in Enugu State to undue harassment, oppression or exploitation as they go about their legitimate businesses.”

     

  • Blood, pandemonium as soldiers attack traders in Ogun

    Blood, pandemonium as soldiers attack traders in Ogun

    Panic and confusion enveloped Ijebu – Ode, Ogun State, on Friday evening two soldiers suspected to have come from Sappers Barrack, Ilese – Ijebu, attacked some traders at the Idobi market  over an  alleged ill treatment of their friend by a trader.

    The two soldiers were said to have beaten thoroughly, those they caught and gravely stabbed two persons in the process while others sustained injuries in an ensuing stampede and commotion.

    A witness told The Nation that the fight sent panic reactions in the market and other places like Folagbade road, Oba Adetona arch way which leads to the Idobi market as well as Oyingbo and Italapo areas as traders hurriedly closed their shops and fled.

    The Witness said further that a friend of the soldiers had an issue with electronics dealers in the market and when the matter could not be resolved amicably, he called his soldier – friends who stormed the market with arms and began to assault people.

    The Police Public Relations Officer in Ogun State, Abimbola Oyeyemi, confirmed to The Nation that there was a “pandemonium in Ijebu – Ode” and that two persons were stabbed by soldiers during a fight.

    Abimbola added that injured persons have been taken to hospital for treatment while a man suspected to have called  the soldiers’ help has also been arrested.

    “There was pandemonium and the Police Area Commander and a Senior army officer have gone to scene to ascertain the true situation of things.

    “A man had gone to the market to buy a Plasma TV but on getting home, the TV did not work when he tested. He was said to have returned it to the seller but the man refused to accept it.

    “It was said that the man had to call his soldier – friends who came to scene and there was a fight. In the process, the soldiers stabbed two persons and that caused commotion in the place. The soldiers fled but the Police have arrested the man who invited the soldiers. Also calm has returned while the injured have been taken to the hospital,” Abimbola said.

     

  • Traders, policemen clash in Ibadan as govt shuts down plank market

    Hundreds of protesters and armed policemen clashed yesterday in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, following the closure of the popular Temidire Sawmillers’ Plank Market by the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources.

    In a desperate attempt to stop the closure, the traders reportedly resorted to throwing stones, sticks and other objects at the policemen.

    In anger, the policemen were said to have tear-gassed the protesters to disperse them and enforce the government’s order.

    In the ensuing confusion, a policeman allegedly fired his gun and a bullet hit one of the protesters, identified as Lukman Gboye.

    The incident happened five days to the August 1 hearing of a suit filed by the traders at the plank market against the state government.

    The police reportedly arrested four of the aggrieved traders – Ogunsola Kazeem, Muritala Mojeed, Kareem Suraju and S. A. Adekola – for resisting the closure of the market.

    The traders were said to have been caught napping by the invasion.

    They wondered why the Commissioner of Environment and Water Resources, Isaac Ishola, who led the security agents to the market, failed to honour the subsisting court order of the State High Court, presided over by Justice A. A. Gbolagunte of Ibadan Judicial Division.

    The suit is between the traders and Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Survey and Attorney-General of Oyo State, the defendants.

    Ishola cited environmental health hazards among alleged offences of the traders for the closure.

    He said: “The issue here is environmental, not ownership. They burn sawdust, which discharges dangerous emissions that cause health hazards to the people around here. The place is also prone to flooding because there is no drainage.

    “The interest of the public takes priority beyond individual or organisational interest. Government cannot just close its eyes when it sees people dying due to health hazards from the sawmill. All over the world, sawmill is located on the outskirts of the town, but this is inside the town.

    “So, they have to relocate to the alternative Fasade community, which the government has provided. Due to environmental issues, especially the health of our people, Temidire Plank Market is hereby closed with immediate effect.”

    Addressing reporters, the chairman of the market, Elder S. A. Alabi said a meeting was held last Tuesday between the market leaders and the commissioner, where Ishola allegedly threatened to shut down the market for the traders’ alleged failure to honour his invitation in a letter dated Monday, July 17 d by the Ministry’s Director of Administration and Supplies, Mrs. O. O. Adebusuyi.

    Alabi said he was unavoidably absent at the meeting but sent representatives to the commissioner.

    The traders’ leader expressed shock about what he called the “Gestapo manner by which the commissioner stormed the market with about 22 security patrol vans and disrupted our businesses”.

    He added: “Our people are law-abiding. We pay our market rates to the government regularly; the last was paid just last Friday.”

  • Ambode gives Oke-Odo market traders seven days to leave roadside

    Ambode gives Oke-Odo market traders seven days to leave roadside

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday gave Agbado-Oke Odo Market traders seven days to stop trading on the roadside or have the place shut.

    At a meeting with the market leaders held at the Lagos House in Ikeja, Ambode said the government could no longer condone the traders excesses.

    The traders, he said, were in the habit of displaying their wares on the road, thereby causing traffic gridlock and other environmental nuisance.

    Ambode, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Tunji Bello, said the market leaders had been warned several times to rein in the traders. This, he noted, has not yielded result as some of the traders have become recalcitrant.

    Besides causing traffic, the traders, he said, were also fond of dumping refuse on the road.

    The governor said: “This is just to come and deliberate on the Agbado Oke-Odo Market because of the situation there. The market has become a stumbling block particularly to those using the road. The traders have blocked the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway to the extent that even the contractors working there don’t have place to work because they have taken over the area.

    “They cause a lot of traffic gridlock and people coming from Ota or from Abule Egba don’t have the road to connect other areas. We have warned them consistently but we are yet to get any result. That is why we have summoned today’s (yesterday’s) meeting.

    “The meeting is basically to call them to order and give them the last warning. The idea initially was to shut down the market today but the governor decided that we should give them just one week to put things in order.”

    He said though government was not interested in shutting down markets, it would wield the big stick if traders continue to constitute themselves as menace to other road users.

    “What we are saying is that the government is not interested in shutting down any market because of the economic implication on the people who have to survive and live.  As a government, we are not interested in shutting down business enterprises and all that, but if it is constituting a menace and inconveniencing other people, we will have no choice than to wield the big stick, and that is why we are giving the market leaders the last warning to go and re-order their market.

    “The leaders of the market must sit up and look at how to help government because we cannot say because we are trading, we should inconvenience people who go to work from Abule Egba to Lagos Island for instance and to other places and they have to spend hours on that road just because of the activities of the traders.

    “Apart from that, we have a lot of filth on the road because the market people just dump their refuse on the road. We don’t want that anymore and that is why we are giving this last warning. We don’t want anybody on the road again and whatever we have to do internally as a government, we will not hesitate to do. We will send task force and the men of the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) to the place to ensure sanity.

    “This warning to Agbado Oke-Odo traders also applies to other markets in the state. Any market where traders are blocking the road and constituting menace to others will be shut down till further notice,” the governor warned.

    Responding on behalf of others, Babaloja Araromi Agbado Oke-Odo Alhaji Mukaila Oyinlola said the traders have ignored all warnings to leave’ the road. He said the government’s resolve was welcome.

    Iyaloja Araromi Oke-Odo Market Mrs Dupe Shonola and Babaloja General of Agbado Oke-Odo Market Alhaji Abiodun Kosoko called for the expansion and modernisation of the market.

  • Traders woo back-to-school shoppers

    Traders woo back-to-school shoppers

    Shoppers are taking advantage of the back-to-school sales to get good deals on a range of products, thus ending this year’s first quarter with good bargains, writes TONIA ‘DIYAN

    For shoppers who think school runs are meant only for pupils and parents, they had better have a rethink!

    This is because there are opportunities for all, especially discerning shoppers.

    The atmosphere around shopping places is such that has awakened retail stores by parents seeking cheap bargains with which to send their wards to school.

    Mrs Alonge Morakinyo is not one of such parents but she is using the opportunity to find some good deals.

    “I have always thought back-to-school sales are only for parents and students, I would have been missing out on some good deals,” said Mrs Morakinyo, a nurse with Fineday Hospital in Ikeja, Lagos.

    “Sure, the adverts this time of the year might go heavy on the backpacks and other back to school items, but those of us without kids (and not currently enrolled in higher education) only need to look past the brightly coloured stuff to find deep discounts on products anyone can use,” she said.

    Upbeat, Mrs Morakinyo said, “I’ve seen deals on everything from electronics to office supplies, and even paper towels.” While advising other shoppers she said, there are four great back-to-school buys that non-students should consider visiting, especially electronics stores, office supply stores, big-box stores, and online retailers who typically run sales on laptops as part of their back-to-school deals.

    For Mrs. Agatha Alozie, a mother, preparation for going back to school occurs throughout the year. This is the only way, she says, she avoids being hit with an enormous back to school bill.

    She is aware that if a parent has one or more children, with a little planning and lot of creativity, such parent can find plenty of deals when it is time to buy back-to-school supplies.

    But this, she said, was easier said than done. In Lagos after schools’ resumption, many parents wake up to the fact that they need to shop for their children’s school supplies.

    This is a period when book sellers are flourishing, as they endeavour to stock virtually every school book customers may ask for.

    Several book stores within Lagos have dealers beckoning on interested buyers. From all indications, they are adequately prepared to ensure that students get their desired back-to-school supplies. Most retail shops have tags reading ‘back-to-school specials’ promising to give ample discounts.

    Other common sale items are printers which can be found at office supply stores, such as ‘Office everything’. Deals on gadgets are popular this time of year. There are deals on USB drives and headphones as schools reopens.

    However, experts have advised that it is important to skip buying any smaller office supplies online as the added cost of shipping would likely knock out the discount attached to such item.

    This seems to be the time of year to stock up on printer paper . It is also a good time to stock up on household goods which are on sale every week during the back-to-school season. There are also deals on hand sanitiser, toilet paper, paper towels, and other items targeted towards school children.

    While most sales are geared toward school-age children, many clothing retailers offer storewide sales during this season. Mr P offers about 50 percent off, with extra savings on khakis, T-shirts, and jeans. People who are looking to show their support for their favourite college team, would find the back-to-school season a good time to stock up on team-branded apparel.

    Shoe retailers online also offer sitewide sales, including adult sizes. There are deals on sandals and athletic shoes, as well as a smattering of discounts for buying multiple pairs. Most footwear retailers are offering buy one, get one half off deals on many items.

  • Agony of Port Harcourt Mile 1 Market traders

    Agony of Port Harcourt Mile 1 Market traders

    Traders who were relocated from  the Mile 1 main market in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital,  to the extension of old Obi-Wali Cultural Centre on Silverbird/Abonema Wharf road in Port Harcourt are grieving, Precious Dikewoha reports.

    Mr. James Idafe, Kenneth Eze and Innocent Chibueze are not happy these days. They all belong to the Mile 1 Market Traders Association in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital. The source of their sadness is Rivers State government’s demolition of their market.

    They were relocated a few years ago from the Mile 1 main market to the extension of old Obi-Wali Cultural Centre on Silverbird/Abonema Wharf road in Port Harcourt after their shops and goods.

    On hearing about the directive to demolish their shops, the traders Thursday last week protested to the Government House to complain to Governor Nyesom Wike.

    Idafe, in an interview with this reporter, said:“ The government had on Thursday last week notified the traders in the market that it would carry out a demolition exercise on the market. They claimed that we are illegally occupying the space. Some Task Force members escorted by heavily armed security men had around 5a.m visited the market on alleged order of the state government and smashed our shops and goods.”

    But  the state government said the Mile 1 market extension was a hideout for criminals.

    The Special Adviser to Governor Nyesom Wike on Lands and Survey, Mr. Anugbum Onuoha, said the government did not in any way evict trades in the popular Mile 1 Market, Port Harcourt, capital of Rivers State.

    A statement  by his media aide, Prince Uwaifo Oviawe, quoted Onuoha as saying the area has been acquired by the government for meaningful projects.

    Eze, who chairs the association, questioned the kind of democratic government operated by the Rivers State government, adding that the government refused to listen to them.

    He said: “I received a call from a security in the market around 5am that police and other security and unknown faces have destroyed main gate with caterpillar, they have arrested some persons. After the arrests they started destroying the whole place and nobody removed any of his belongings.

    “When we received this information, we marched peacefully to Government House to inform the government of what we heard. The message we are receiving from them is what we are seeing now.

    “Is this the democracy we are talking about; a government that cannot listen to the voice and pleas of the masses? We did not come here illegally; we have papers that backed us to be here given to us by the past government.”

    As far as Chibueze is concerned, an act of inhumanity has been visited on traders.

    He said:“What we are seeing is an act of inhumanity. This is the administration we all fought for but they are treating us like this. We suffered for them without benefit. Now they have scattered and destroyed our goods.

    “If they had asked us to leave here, we would have done it without this level of losses. Our goods got burnt in the old market in 2013, we came to this place empty handed, building ourselves up again and after our effort to stand the state government came and destroyed everything.

    “Nobody removed even a pin from his shop everything was matched with the bulldozer. We don’t know what to do. We are watching. We hope in God. Last time the market burnt we did not die even this one, we will survive.”

    Another trader, Mr. Miracle Harry said:“After the fire that razed the old market, the government gave us this site temporarily till the market is rebuilt and to that effect there was documentation, we are not illegal occupants.

    “It is barbaric, I don’t think this kind of  thing would happen. If the governor is involved in this, it means that he was not properly informed. He should have come down here to ascertain things for himself. We are helpless in a democratic state.”

    Onuoha said  criminals were using the uncompleted buildings and makeshift apartments in the area as the safe haven, adding that the demolition was to curb crime.

    The statement reads: “The Rivers State government has dispelled the allegations surrounding the eviction of occupants and demolition of the makeshift shops occupied by Mile 1 traders along Silverbird/Abonema Wharf road in the Port Harcourt metropolis.

    “Several reports show that those makeshift shops and the uncompleted building serve as a hide out for criminals. The land which has been acquired by the state government and compensation fully paid has to be secured for meaningful projects.”

    Onuoha dismissed speculations that the Ministry of Lands and Survey was aware of an agreement reached between the traders and the Port Harcourt City Local Government Council for the space to be used.

    In December 17, 2013,  Mile 1 market was gutted by an early morning fire  which destroyed properties and goods worth billion  of naira. This prompted the relocation of the affected traders to an extension of Obi-Wali Cultural Centre where they were allocated space to construct wooden shops.

    However, that was not the first time the market would be gutted by fire. In 2004,  the  market was gutted by fire. The then governor of the state,  Dr. Peter Odili, visited the market and promised  to build a befitting market  for the traders, but he did not.

    The next governor, Celestine Omehia, awarded the contract for construction of a modern market for the traders. Construction   in the market was ongoing when Omehia was removed from office by the Supreme Court of Nigeria  and Rotimi  Amaechi came on board.

    On assumption of office, Amaechi continued with the project. The first phase of the market was completed in 2011 and stores allocated to some traders. The second phase would have been continued, but there were administrative lapses which led to the abandonment of the project.

  • Traders shut Ladipo market to honour late colleague

    Traders at the Ladipo auto market in Mushin, Lagos, last Saturday shut the market for four hours to honour their late colleague, Mr. Anene Utazi, who was killed by hoodlums last year.
    A memorial service held from 8am till noon after which the traders marched round the area, starting from the market through Ladipo junction and back to Toyota bus stop, on the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, before returning to the market through Aswani.
    The traders were led by the market’s President Kinsgley Ogunor and other officials. They carried candles and placards with inscriptions as: “We don’t need miscreants in Ladipo market”; “Anene Utazi: Let justice be done”.
    Ogunor said: “Today, we are remembering Anene Utazi whose life was cut short by hoodlums. He laid down his life so we can have peace. We are honouring him and if we shut down Ladipo market for him, it is not too much.
    “Though he is no more, I believe his spirit is with us for as long as we remember him.”
    Ogunor thanked the Lagos State Police Commissioner Fatai Owoseni, his Justice counterpart and the director of Public Prosecutions for standing by the association.
    The president, who sadi peace had returned to the market, warned cultists to steer clear of the market. “Retrace your steps; Ladipo market will smoke you out. What we do here is business; we need peace.
    “If the environment does not have peace, how can we do business?”
    According to him, the incessant crises does not speak well of the market and that was why they wanted the market rebranded. He admonished members to imbibe the spirit of tolerance.

  • Traders jailed for selling on walk ways

    Some traders caught trading on walkways at different locations in Benin City have been jailed or made to pay fines.

    Arrested traders were arraigned before mobile courts stationed at different locations such as Oba Akenzua Cultural Centre, Edo Development Property Authority, (EDPA) and Km Six, Sapele Road.

    They were nabbed as the state government began enforcement of “Project Clean-up Edo”.

    The enforcement of the “Project Clean-up Edo” commenced after a week-long sensitization and awareness campaign to various markets and trading centres across Benin City and environs.

    Acting General Manager, Edo State Waste Management Board, Prince Aiyamenkhue Akonofua, who led the sensitization campaign said it was the state government responsibility to remove chaos and disorder from the society.

    Prince Akonofua warned that the state government would no longer condone trading on walk ways, government right of way, public spaces, and indiscriminate waste disposal by traders, motorists or pedestrians.

    He said a Technical Team headed by Secretary to the State Government, Barr. Osarodion Ogie, would restore the state to its former glory and make it the cleanest in the federation.

    Traders arrested by the Technical Team on Thursday were charged under section 10, sub-section C of Edo State sanitation and Pollution Management Law No 5, 2010 and section 203 of the Criminal Code.

    The offenders bagged three months imprisonment or an option of fine of N5, 000, N10, 000, and N20, 000 depending on the offence.

    One of the offenders, Ms. Faith James was sentenced to six months imprisonment or an option of a fine of N70, 000 for displaying her wares on the walk-way and assaulting police officers.

    Another bus driver, Osarumense Richard, was sentenced to three months imprisonment or an option of a fine of N50, 000 for obstructing policemen in the course of their duty.

  • Biometrics for traders, artisans

    Biometrics for traders, artisans

    Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi will on Thursday launch biometrics data capture and identification card project for tradesmen and artisans.
    Commissioner for Trade, Industry, Investment and Cooperatives Princess Taibat Adeyemi-Agba, in a statement yesterday, said the programme will hold at Trans Amusement Park, Ibadan by 11am.
    Adeyemi-Agba said the programme will provide the government information that will serve as database for providing commercial incentives and welfare packages.
    She added that the government will also use the data for local content in awarding jobs and contracts.

  • Lawmaker to traders: avoid arbitrary hike in commodities’ prices

    Chairman, Sokoto State House of Assembly’s Committee on Commerce and Industry Alhaji Tanimu Kyadawa, has charged traders in the state to desist from arbitrary hike in prices of commodities.
    Kyadawa told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Sokoto that stopping the habit would ease the sufferings of the residents of the state.
    He said: “We in the state House of Assembly had since passed a bill that led to the creation of a commodity board in the state. This is in order to assist the traders and the people in conducting their businesses with ease.
    “So our traders should reciprocate this gesture and control all prices of commodities.
    “Moreover, we have realised that it is only in Sokoto that the traders exhibit such obnoxious habit.
    “Therefore, we will be more proactive and block all leakages, for the revival of the trade in the state.”
    The lawmaker hailed Governor Aminu Tambuwal for constituting a task force to oversee the sales and distribution of petroleum products in the state.
    He said: “This has since become a source of pride to the present administration, as we have realised the impact of such gesture in our daily affairs”.
    He appealed to the people to be more patient, assuring,” the storms will soon be over.”
    Kyadawa also urged Nigerians to always pray for the success of the nation’s leaders, at the three tiers of government.