After the demolition of Owerri main market by the Imo state
government, scores of traders who were relocated to Industrial Cluster,
Naze, on Monday, barricaded the Imo State Government House, Owerri, in
protest.
According to PUNCH Newspaper, the angry traders who blocked the
main gate to the government house, caused panic in the area as they
vowed not to vacate the entry gate until Governor Rochas Okorocha
address them.
The angry protesters brandished various placards and singing songs
of solidarity, security men at the Government House, some of who bore
arms, tried in vain to control the traders so as to allow free flow of
traffic in and out of the compound.
Speaking while addressing journalists, two of the protesting
traders who identified themselves as John Okeke and Ebere Ndu, said the
government sent them to the industrial market without first ensuring the
success of their activities.
Okeke said, “The government just sent us to the Naze Industrial
Cluster, but we are suffering there. Hunger is killing most of us, as
our perishable goods rot away because nobody comes to buy from us and
our welfare is not guaranteed.”
According to the traders, part of their grievances was that while
the governor demolished Owerri main market and insisted that they move
to the new site, the state government still allowed other traders to
continue trading in the demolished market.
“They asked us to move to industrial cluster, we obeyed; but they allowed others to continue trading there.
“As I speak to you, there is trading at the demolished Owerri
main market, including street trading along the Douglas road. It wasn’t
part of our bargain with the government,” Okeke said.
He complained that the development was affecting them, adding that
people prefer to make purchases at the demolished Owerri main market
because it is closer to the town than coming to the new site at Naze.
“Our goods spoil regularly. It costs us great losses because
there is no patronage. Where we are staying now is a bit far from town.
As long as the government encourages street trading and economic
activities at the demolished Owerri main market, we will not be making
sales,” Ndu said.
The traders said they were at the Government House to ensure that Governor Okorocha orders every trader to the new site.
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