Traders appeal to FCTA to provide adequate spaces for business activities
NAN-H-107
Traders
By Bukola Adewumi
Abuja, Oct. 5, 2016 (NAN) Traders at the Nyanya market, a suburb of Abuja, have appealed to the Federal Capital Territrory Administration (FCTA) to provide adequate spaces conducive for business activities.
The call is coming against the background of the demolition of shanties at the market on Sept. 28.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that officials of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) had demolished the illegal structures to ease traffic flow along the Abuja-Keffi road.
Mr Christian Kalu, the Chairman, `Okrika’ Traders Association, told NAN that since the demolition, AMAC officials had yet to provide alternative location for the traders to continue with their businesses.
“The AMAC chairman told us to evacuate from the area; they had promised to look for a place for us to do our businesses before ejecting us; but the reverse is now the case.
“Today is market day and most traders have are yet to get a place to sell their goods. Some of them are even stranded because of heavy security personnel around this area.
“Most of them are afraid of arrest; so they are standing afar off to see when it will be convenient for them to sell their goods.’’
He, therefore, appealed to the government to urgently assist the traders because they had been stranded since the commencement of the evacuation.
Mrs Ebere Johnson, a trader and mother of six said:“The notice given to us was too short; so, there was no time to plan and find alternative place to do business.
“I came out this morning with the intention to sell but the reverse is the case.
“There is no place for me to display my goods because police and other security personnel are here restricting people from displaying their goods.
“ I left my house this morning with only N300; I don’t know how I will go back home and provide for my family.’’
Mr Musa Abdullahi said he resorted to street trading because it was difficult to pay for a shop within the market.
He added that the demolition by AMAC had made him jobless.
“AMAC has done a good thing but there was no adequate time to re-organise ourselves to somewhere else.
“ With this present recession, these activities will only encourage criminal activities in the land.’’
Reacting to the development, Mr James Okoli, a business man, said that the environment looked decent, following the demolition and appealed to AMAC to sustain the exercise.
Mrs Grace Ademola, who also commended AMAC, urged the council to ensure a better and serene environment in the market. (NAN)
BOL/NKO/NKO
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Edited by Nkechi OKoronkwo
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