Tension is brewing at the Umuahia Industrial Market, Ahiaeke Ndume, as traders under the aegis of First Line Timber Shade Section staged a peaceful protest at the country home of Governor Alex Otti in Nvosi, Isialangwa South Local Government Area, to draw his attention to alleged threats by members of the Umuchukwu community Ihie Ndume, to set ablaze over 200 lock-up shops in the market.
The traders, visibly worried about their fate, said the community issued them a quit notice, claiming ownership of the market land, and threatened to burn down the shops if they failed to vacate.
Speaking on behalf of other protesting traders, Pastor Daniel Obi, who expressed concern over the looming crisis, said the traders have valid allocation papers issued to them by the government.
Pastor Obi said that the land in question was duly acquired by the Abia State Government during the military administration of Group Captain Frank Ajobena, with compensation reportedly paid to the community.
“TA Orji’s Government also paid compensation again when they came back for claims. So why this renewed threat to burn down our shops?.
“We are not squatters, we acquired this space legally from government. If they (Community) have issues, they should go and meet the government and not threaten us”, he said.
Pastor Obi who described Governor Otti as a “listening Governor”, who has the interest of the people at heart, revealed that the traders approached the Governor directly because previous interventions through purported market leaders yielded no result.
He prayed for the Governor’s swift intervention to protect their investments, adding that failure to act might lead to economic losses, disruption of livelihoods, and possible breach of public peace.
Also, the Chairman of the First Line Building Section, Mr. James Onyema, said that the market could suffer the same fate as other sections where traders lost their shops due to silence and lack of action, stressing that the traders would resist any illegal eviction or forceful takeover.
Mr Onyema reaffirmed their confidence in Governor Otti’s administration and expressed optimism that the State Government would provide a lasting solution to the current challenges and ensure sustained peace and progress in the market.
In his contribution, a retired police officer and shop owner, CSP Austin Nwosu, while appealing to the Governor to urgently intervene, emphasized that all land belongs to the Government under the Land Use Act.
He said that the traders who were properly allocated shops and have consistently paid government rates should not be subjected to threats or forceful eviction.
“The Community claims they secured a court judgement from Umunneochi, but this market falls under Umuahia jurisdiction. We are not party to any court matter. Our shops are our livelihood, we cannot allow anyone to destroy them”, Nwosu stressed.
Addressing the protesters on behalf of the Government, the Chief Protocol Officer to the Governor, Mr. Uche Nwosu, assured the traders that their complaints would be conveyed to Governor Otti for prompt attention.
He urged the traders to remain calm and expressed confidence that the matter would be resolved amicably to the satisfaction of all parties.
