Ben Ezechime, Enugu
The Ikechukwu Ezeugwu Foundation (IEF) has set up a trust fund for victims of Ogige Market demolition in Nsukka Local Government Area, Enugu State.
The foundation also donated the sum of Two Million Naira to the victims of recent demolition in Ogige Market Nsukka.
The founder and Director General of the foundation, Dr Ikechukwu Ezeugwu, said the donation was under the auspices of “Ogige Nsukka Traders Support Fund; A Call For Empathy.”
Ezeugwu, who is the immediate past majority leader of Enugu State House of Assembly, said the gesture was to cushion the effects of the demolition on the traders.
“Most of us are aware of the recent developments at the Ogige market, Nsukka. The affected traders are in a state of despondency.
“In order to demonstrate our love for the affected traders in practical, measurable, and verifiable terms, I am appealing for financial assistance on their behalf in order to assuage their situations.
According to him: “On behalf of IKECHUKWU EZEUGWU FOUNDATION, I have made a donation of N2,000,000.00 ( Two million naira) only ,into the account details below to kick-start this drive.
“This effort will help them to stabilise emotionally even before whatever money we are able to raise is given to them and before they are compensated by the government,” Ezeugwu said.
He said that he was aware that the leadership of the market was working with the government authorities to ensure a seamless verification of affected shop owners.
“This is with a view to doing the needful within the shortest possible time,” he said.
Ezeugwu appealed to other individuals, philanthropists and good spirited people to come to the aid of the victims to enable them recommence their means of livelihood.
“May God reward you abundantly and always meet you at your point of need as you make your donation notwithstanding the economic realities we are presently facing in our country today.
Speaking, the Chairperson of the Ogige Market Traders Association (OMATA), Mrs Ngozi Ozioko, said that the demolition had taken a toll on the lives of the affected traders.
She claimed that the owners and traders of about 1800 shops pulled down by the state government were given only 72 hours to vacate the shops without compensation or anything.
“We want the government to do something very urgently to resettle the traders,” she said.
An affected trader, Mr Ikechukwu Agbo, however, alleged that the leaders of the market were informed about the exercise eight months back.
“The government said they informed our leaders about the development since eight months ago but nobody told us until they came last week and gave us 72 hours,” he said.
It would be recalled that the Enugu State government has been on demolition spree across the state with the intent to build transportation terminals.
