Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
Some traders at Oyeagu Market, Abagana in Anambra State have appealed to Governor Chukwuma Soludo to save their businesses from alleged ejection plan from the shops which they legitimately acquired from the local government.
The traders lamented the sudden ejection order issued under the guise of market reorganisation, including conversion of their shops to upstairs, without recourse to them, after occupying the shops for several years.
Among the over 60 shop owners affected by the order is Comfort Anunyaba, a 65-year-old widow who amidst sobs recounted her struggle to get the shop.
“I passed through a lot to acquire this shop in 2005 and we’ve been renovating the shops based on directives from successive administrations. They came again this year to eject us from our shops without any alternative arrangement. We’ve been going to the local government to see the chairman but to no avail.”
Chukwudi Offor, who sells foodstuff, alleged that the local government directive was an attack on their sources of livelihood.
“They have been using the name of Governor Soludo to victimise us. The plan to develop the market is not in our interest but for their selfish interests to make money. If you talk, they deploy the vigilante and thugs to beat you and send you away forcefully.
“Most of us have lost our customers because the authorities sold the property to unknown persons, who want to build upstairs on top of someone’s shop without thinking about what becomes of shop owners.”
For Chinedu Anunyaba, it’s a matter of double tragedy.
“I borrowed up to N3million to renovate the shop and restart my business after the 2024 fire incident. I’ve only repaid N200,000,” he regretted pointing at his shop already divided into two by the developer.
Stella Onyebuchi, who trades in provisions, bemoaned the undemocratic approach by the local government.
“We were not consulted at all. Besides, the upstairs they built earlier are yet to be occupied because most traders don’t like trading upstairs.”
Sunday Eze’s shop has been divided into two, after which he paid N1.5million before it was returned to him. The foodstuffs dealer who hails from Enugu State, alleged a clandestine plan to impoverish them.
“They want us to be begging for food even when we were part of the leadership. They treat us like slaves, that anyone who is not comfortable should leave. I have nine children. How do I feed them? Nowhere to move to with almost N5million goods.”
Bethran Ugwuona, also from Enugu State, who claimed to have been at Oyeagu market since 2000, said he was affected by incidents five years ago and last year.
“I lost about N15m last year. I borrowed to fix my shop, which they are threatening to take away.”
He regretted this development three months after each of them contributed N400,000 each for renovation aimed at ensuring uniformity of roofs and doors.
“We complied to that directive and 3 months after, they want to remove the roofing to convert our shops to upstairs. This place was a bush when we came. We had several armed robbery attacks to the point that we started sleeping inside the market. Unfortunately, they don’t carry us along in the decisions they take,” Ugwuona decried.
Chinedu Ananaba, a provisions dealer, said he officially acquired the shop in 2020.
“Since then, we have been paying for the shop annually. We paid N1,700 two years ago and it skyrocketed to N12,700 last year. This year, they said it’s N30,000.
“Last year, former chairman started building shops. He even demolished some because they are truly weak. We agreed that the owners of the shops won’t lose them after the renovation. Surprisingly, the project meant for 3 months is still on-going.
“The new chairman said he wants to reorganise the market, which will involve demolition. We offered to do that by ourselves. But if he insists, it must be on a special agreement and conditions.
“That wasn’t settled until one Sunday, I was called that the roof of my shop was being removed. See, they are dividing the shops and selling them at exorbitant prices. Unfortunately, they label the same papers we have been using to pay to the local government as fake.”
“Governor Soludo should please help us because these people did not mean well for us,” Ugwuona pleaded, supported by Onyebuchi.
“This is not fair, especially for poor people like us. We want the governor to come over and help us. If the market must be given a facelift, let’s handle it ourselves, not any developer.”
“We bought the shops which were officially allocated to us by the local government. We pay for renewal every year to the government. We’re begging Governor Soludo for intervention,” Offor added his voice.
Reacting to all the allegations, the Councilor representing Abagana Ward 1, Hon Obi Okoye Chinedu, dismissed the ejection notice as mere allegations, saying he has not been officially informed.
He however confirmed that developers are currently executing their project at the market.
“I’m not aware of any plans to eject traders from the market. Any such allegations is yet to be brought to my notice,” he said.
