Onitsha (Anambra) – No fewer than 100 petty traders on Monday protested their eviction by the state government from the `Chukwujekwu Jesus Own Market’ near Coca Cola depot, Onitsha.
The protesters, mostly widows, carried placards along the Onitsha-Asaba Express Way leading to the Bridge-Head, chanting songs in praise of Gov. Chief Willie Obiano.
Some of their placards read, “Two women were raped in the market”; “We pay N6, 000 IGR annually to government”; “Please, think twice”, and “Governor, please withdraw your security men.”
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the traders were evicted from the market on Friday.
Reacting to the development, Mrs Amaka Ilobi, the state Commissioner for Trade, Commerce, Markets and Wealth Creation, said that the government had built a new market for the traders along Atani road in Ogbaru Local Government area.
According to her, the women have been warned severally to vacate the over 30-year-old market but they refused, prompting government to `wield the big stick’.
However, the protesters led by a 60-year-old widow, Mrs Catherine Okafor, said that the price of a shop at the new market was too exorbitant for perishable item sellers to afford.
Okafor said that they were forced out with machetes and guns; and that goods worth millions of naira were destroyed during the eviction.
“As widows, we didn’t pay for shops or levies in the previous market but they are asking us now to pay N300,000 for shops and other exorbitant levies just to sell perishables items like vegetables and tomatoes.
“Under the administration of former Gov. Peter Obi, the state government even built a fence for us and asked us to keep the market clean.
“To worsen the situation, we are afraid because of the threats we are receiving from youths from Obosi and Atani communities.
“Both communities are already laying claim to the land where the new market is located because of the revenue they will collect from us.”
She claimed that seven of the market women had died within the period as the traders were being attacked and robbed by hoodlums at the new market.
Okafor therefore, appealed to the state government to reverse its decision.
Commenting on the situation, a human rights activist, Mr Tony Obiajunwa, wondered why government agents would chase widows away, using force and inflicting injuries on them.
“One of the pillars of Gov. Willie Obiano’s administration is agriculture and what these women sell are agricultural produce. So, why should they be ejected from the market.
“The new market has been hijacked by individuals and politicians, who are demanding exorbitant fees to rent space and shops just to sell tomatoes, Okro and other foodstuffs.
“I think the governor should order a reversal of the decision because the way the new market was built, is certainly not for vegetable traders,” Obiajunwa said. (NAN)
