Members of the Ariaria Allottees Traders Association, representing shop owners in the remodeled A-Line lock-up shops at the Ariaria International Market Aba, have refuted allegations of disenfranchisement in the allocation process.
The Traders who made the clarification in a Communique issued on Monday, at the end of their meeting held at the A-line Section of the Ariria International Market, dismissed the claims made by”some mischievous” groups as false and misleading.
The Communique jointly signed by the Chairman, Ariaria Allottes Traders Association, Chief Goddy Udunna and Secretary, Mr Boniface Enemuo, raised concerns over what it described as “malicious propaganda” by a splinter group within the National Association of Nigerian Traders (NANTS), Ariaria Chapter, led by one Mr Michael Aniorji.
The Association criticized the group for attempting to undermine the project by spreading misinformation about shop allocations while failing to participate in the process by submitting application forms.
“It is saddening that some few elements are poised to deceive some Traders and Government alleging that they are disenfranchised in the scheme of things as regards to allocation of shops at remodelled A Line Section of Ariaria international Market.
“This mischievous group has embarked on various nefarious and malicious propaganda to destabilize the project at A Line Section of Ariaria International Market.
“We are also aware of the activities of some group of people who are fermenting trouble and alleging that their shops are taken from them without allowing them to buy back their shops.
According to the Traders, the individuals who discouraged others from applying for the loan by asserting that the project would fail, are now creating unnecessary agitation and warned them to desist from undermining the efforts of the State Government.
“This group of people have not even purchased or obtained application of interest form from UBA yet they are the ones agitating and picking holes.
“Before now, they told interested traders who obtained application forms that they will lose their money because the project will not see the light of the day“, the Communique stated.
The Association also accused the splinter groups of sabotaging the loan initiative by the State Government in collaboration with the UBA aimed at supporting traders during the transition.
“To encourage us Government offered to provide loan facilities to traders who are willing to acquire their shops back. The loan facility was in the tune of N10,000, 000,000 (Ten Billion Naira) with duration and repayment period of 48 months of which each trader may be given the sum of 4 million to 5 million naira each at friendly interest rate.
“To our utmost surprise, a splinter group of National Association of Nigerian Traders (NANTS) Abia State Ariaria Chapter led by Michael Aniorji wrote a letter to UBA headquarters to cance} the loan facility“, the Communique stated.
The Traders revealed that 80–85% of previous shop owners had successfully reacquired their shops adding that out of the 3,800 shops demolished, 4,800 have been remodelled, resulting in an additional 1,000 shops available for allocation.
They emphasized that the State Government’s efforts have significantly improved the market’s infrastructure and urged all previous and potential shop owners to comply with the allocation process inorder to reacquire their shops.
The Association reaffirmed their support for Governor Alex Otti’s vision for the state and called on all stakeholders to desist from activities that could undermine the Market’s progress.
“We wish to align ourselves with his Excellency’s desire to help interested traders to acquire back their shops with the help of banks at reasonable interest rate.
“We condemn in the strongest terms the activities of mischievous persons who under whatsoever guise probably working with the opposition in the state to undermine the good work of his Excellency, Dr Alex Chioma Otti in the state and urge them to desist forthwith“, the Communique concluded.
Some allottees, including Mr. Frank Moses and Mrs. Ewenwa Edith, who spoke to newsmen, commended the State Government for its sustained efforts in making the project a reality and lauded the contractor handling the project for demonstrating commitment and dedication.
The allottees explained that the criteria for obtaining a shop include purchasing an Expression of Interest Form for N20,000, along with a payment of N5 Million for existing traders and N6 Million for new traders.
They clarified that no trader was allotted a shop for free, as all shop owners in the market met the stipulated requirements before securing their spaces and expressed disappointment over attempts by certain individuals to stir trouble and demand free allocation of shops, describing such actions as unfortunate.
