Some traders at the popular Wuse market, who were affected by the unfortunate storm of tragedy that struck the market on Tuesday afternoon, have appealed to the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) for compensation.
The compensation, they said, will enable them bounce back to business after their loss.
The traders, who spoke to our correspondent after the market was re-opened on Friday by officials of the Abuja Markets Management Limited (AMML), said the unexpected catastrophe which saw their shops and goods burnt to ashes has left them confused.
They blamed officials of the Abuja Environmental Protection Board, (AEPB)Task Force for their inability to manage what they described as a common civil case, leading to the shooting and killing of 27 years old Ibrahim Yahaya.
One of the traders who identified himself as Pau,l said: “It’s not the fault of the people that burnt people’s shops, it’s the government’s fault. I can’t carry pure water on my head inside the market selling and someone will question me for selling pure water. I’m hustling to make my daily bread and you’re hurting me.
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“Even me I can do more than that, It is not the fault of those who took laws into their hand but that of government. Government should therefore take care of the expenses of those whose shops were set ablaze. If I have one million Naira goods, I will request 10 million Naira, because it’s not my fault. If they hadn’t killed the boy, the problem wouldn’t have occurred”.
The chairman of Wuse Market Traders Association, Okorie Raphael, explained that at the moment, the affected traders cannot give an estimate of the damages suffered.
He said more time is required for them to evaluate and present estimates of their losses.
According to Okorie, the various institutions of government have been responsive to the demands of the affected traders, noting that a committee headed by the FCT Commissioner of Police, Benneth Igweh is working assiduously towards addressing all issues.
He said: “We’ve opened negotiations and discussions with them and at this point we cannot disclose to the press what we have discussed, but we have brought the people who were affected to a comfort point, so that efforts are being made so that they can continue with their business.
“We are not stopping at that; we are also engaging higher authorities, so that at the end of the day, we’ll be able to bring succour to them, so that they can start their business proper.
“So with the level of progress from institutions of government, and I think they have reached a comfort zone, by the end of the day we are sure everything will be alright.
“It will be misleading to give an estimate of what was lost because those who were affected are still asking me for more time to give us an accurate figure of their loss”.
Meanwhile the Head of Department, Operations, Abuja Markets Management Limited, Innocent Amaechina, in an interview with our correspondent, said machineries have been set in motion to ensure every issue regarding the crisis and its aftermath are duly addressed.
This, he noted, include issues of compensation which is being handled by the Abuja Investment Company Ltd as well as others relating to the family of the victim.
