– Traders fingers Market Leaders in relocation saga
– We need a Virgin Land for our Market
– Hon. Smart Okafor Intervenes
Traders at Nnewi Electrical and Electronic Market, Nnewi, appears to be facing altercation with the state government following the planned relocation of the market.
The Market which was sealed off today, 18th February, 2020 as early as 2:00am this Morning, by the Nigeria Military Officers assisted by Men of Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Civil Defence and some Local Vigilantes, has been received with mixed reaction by traders in the market.
The traders who expressed sadness over the development, said that they were not consulted or given any prior notice before the closure of the market.
READ ALSO: Just In: Nigeria Army Seals Off Nnewi Electrical Market
Speaking on behalf of the traders, the Former Chairman of the Market, Mr. Kenneth Ofodum, gave a detailed background on why they are worried about the relocation of the market.
“Over the years, we have been planning to relocate the market to a more conducive site, because our current location is no more giving us the enabling comfort to run our businesses.
“We initially planned to move to Ikedife market but due to some factors, that plan failed.
“But unfortunately, during the leadership of Mr. Ugochukwu Udemezu who was the Former Chairman of the Market, without consulting the traders or any of the executive members of the market, he connived with some officials of the government to relocate the market to Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu Plaza, popularly known as Nwanyi Imo.
“During the first attempt to relocate our market to Nwanyi Imo, we complained that the sizes of shops and the space of the market was not suitable for the business we do, because the market was not built in conformity with the type of business we do.
READ ALSO: Breaking News: Nkwo Nnewi Electrical Parts On Fire (Photos)
“After a background check, we found out that the land in question was still under tussle, and as such, we cannot do business in a land which is still under court litigation.
“We insisted and appealed that we can only relocate if we can be provided with a virgin land where we can build our own market, because we cannot relocate to Nwanyi Imo to become tenants again.
“After the Fire incident that affected our market last two weeks, Anambra State Commissioner of Commerce and Industry, Hon. Uchenna Okafor while sympathising with us, assured us that there was no plan to relocate the market. Breaking News: Nkwo Nnewi Electrical Parts On Fire (Photos)
On what prompted the sealing off the market, he said,
“As much as I know, I believe that the security agencies that sealed off the market were invited by the state government, but unfortunately we were not consulted or informed before the closure, we are suspecting that some market leaders in Nnewi, master minded the whole thing.
READ ALSO: “Make Nnewi Nigeria’s Manufacturing Hub” – Kingsley Moghalu Tells Govt
However, relief has come to the traders of the market following the intervention of the Member Representing Nnewi North in Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon. Nonso Smart Okafor, who has met with the Market Leaders and some government appointees to resolve the issues amicably.
At the time of writing, the market was still sealed off by the security agents.
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