Group donates N2m to victims of Ogige Nsukka Market demolition

Group donates N2m to victims of Ogige Nsukka Market demolition

Foundation
By Benson Ezugwu
Enugu, June 7, 2024 (NAN) The Ikechukwu Ezeugwu Foundation, on Friday, donated N2 million to the victims of the recent demolition of stalls in Ogige Market, Nsukka.

The Founder and Director General of the foundation, Dr Ikechukwu Ezeugwu, said the donation was  made on the auspices of the “Ogige Nsukka Traders Support Fund, a call for empathy”.

Ezeugwu, who is the immediate past Majority Leader of the Enugu State House of Assembly, said that the gesture was to cushion the effect of the demolition on the traders.

“Most of us are aware of the recent development at the Ogige Market,  Nsukka.

“The affected traders are in a state of despondency.

“In order to demonstrate our love for them in practical, measurable and verifiable terms, I am appealing for financial assistance on their behalf in order to assuage their plight.

“On behalf of Ikechukwu Ezeugwu Foundation, I have made a donation of N2 million only to kick-start this drive.

“This effort will help them to stabilise emotionally even before  the money we are able to raise is given to them and before they are compensated by the government,” Ezeugwu said.

He further said that he was aware that the leadership of the market was working with the government agencies to ensure a seamless verification of the affected shop owners.

“This is with a view to doing the needful within the shortest possible time,” he said.

Ezeugwu appealed to other good spirited individuals and groups to come to the aid of the victims to enable them to recommence their means of livelihood.

“May God reward you abundantly and always meet you at your point of need as you make your donations, notwithstanding the economic realities we are presently facing in our country.

Also, the Chairperson of the Ogige Market Traders Association, Mrs Ngozi Ozioko, said that the demolition took a big toll on the lives of the affected traders.

Ozioko claimed that no fewer than 1800 affected shop owners were allegedly given only 72 hours to vacate their shops without compensation or alternative shops.

“We want the government to do something very urgently to resettle the traders, ” she said.

A victim of the demolition, Mr Ikechukwu Agbo, however, alleged that the market leaders were informed about the exercise about eight months ago.

“The government said it informed our leaders about the development since eight months ago but nobody told us until they came last week and gave us 72 hours,” Agbo said.

NAN reports that the State Government recently embarked on the demolition of some market stalls and structures to pave the way for its proposed transport terminals in the capital city. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

BEN/USO
Edited by Sam Oditah