BY POLYCARP IFEANYI / ONITSHA
Traders at Odu-Igbo section of Ochanja Market, Onitsha in Anambra State have staged a peaceful protest over the alleged plan by the Onitsha South local government council to demolish their shops and stalls.
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The angry traders accused the Care-taker Chairman of Ochanja Central Market, Mr. Bonaventure Muo of conniving with the authority to carry out the act.
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The leader of the protesting traders, Chief Chukwudi Eke said they were given two days (Sunday and Monday) to vacate the market, alleging that Mr. Bonaventure Muo is collaborating with the Onitsha Council Chairman, Mr. Emeka Orji to eject them.
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Reacting to the allegation yesterday, Mr. Muo denied having hand in the plan demolition exercise, adding that all information he had been giving to them emanated directly from state government and not from his office.
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“The reason why I and my committee were kept in the market by government is to create peace in the market and ensure that all roads are decongested. Government did not gave me mandate to demolish market. It is the duty of government to know which market to demolish not me”, he said.
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According to Muo, “the deputy governor, Dr. Onyekachi Ibezim visited Ochanja Central Market one day and told him that he would go to Odu-Igbo section of the Market. When the deputy governor went there, he went around and said a lot of things about the market. He said he would demolish the market in three days after conducting interviews to some women who complained to him about their challenges”.
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“The deputy governor took pity on them and consoled them. He informed them that he would demolish the market and restructure it and after they will return back again and occupy comfortable shops. But within me, the time frame given to the traders was short. At least if it is one month, it should be better”
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Mr. Muo also said that the deputy Governor left and later came back again in the company of Onitsha South Council Chairman, Mr. Emeka Orji with other entourages and reiterated that Odu-Igbo Market would be restructure.
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He said that the state governor would bring the plan. “So, I summoned meeting with market leaders and told them that they should photocopy their shop allocation papers and bring to my office so that after the restructuring, the rightful owners can claim their shops.”
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“During the meeting, some agreed what I told them, some disagreed while some resorted in cursing government. I later also summoned men who have shops at upstairs and told them the same information they began to curse me. But when I noticed danger I called security to wage them out.
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“What they did was to instigate women to stage protest and that was the first protest they staged. They were calling me thief, chanting my name that I want to demolish their market. I documented it and sent to Awka”
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Mr. Muo also explained that the deputy Governor summoned another meeting at Awka which all the Market Leaders including Odu-Igbo market were in attendance.
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” During the meeting, the deputy Governor made it clear that government want to restructure Odu-Igbo and modernize it not demolition.
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He said that the market was so dirty. So, I told the Chairman of Odu-Igbo that you have heard it by yourself and when you go back you can now tell your people.
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“So, I never for one day thought of planning how to demolish their Market rather I was giving them information from Government but they misunderstood me. Who am I to object Government decision? I have no special interest in building project but I strictly adhere to government directives”, he explained.
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