Traders protest impending buildings collapse at Onitsha
By Michael Ovat- Awka
Traders from Ochanja Central section of Onitsha market, Anambra State, on Friday, protested attempted plans by some high ranking traders in the commercial city, to construct additional shops on top of old and weak buildings in the area.
The traders called for the immediate suspension and arrest of those behind the act.
The protesters, who barricade the State Headquarters of Physical Planning Board, Amawobia and the gate of the State Government House, along Enugu-Onitsha Expressway, Awka, says they were in the state capital to appeal to the governor, Willie Obiano, to urgently intervene to prevent future building collapse that may lead to loss of lives and properties in the market.
Speaking to Journalists, shortly, after the protest, the leader, Chief Gabriel Okwuneme, alleged the high-handedness of the Ochanja Central market leadership.
He also accused the leadership of collaborating with some State Government agents to construct shops on top of the weak buildings.
According to him, we are in Awka, to protest against the illegal construction of shops at Ochanja central market. The market was built with one storey building and the leadership of the market are trying to build shops on top of the storey building that foundations are weak and old, in which we found it dangerous to our lives and that of our means of livelihood.
“we called on the state government to order for the discontinuation work.
Okwuneme, also called on the Governor, to intervene in the ugly situation to avert impending crises.
Some of the placards displayed by the protesting traders read: ”Save our lives now at Ochanja central market, governor Willie Obiano, we need your help now, Physical Planning Board why are you people keeping quit, Ochanja central market is not for sale, say no to illegal shops at Ochanja central market, illegal shops at Ochanja central market will collapse very soon, say no to decking without foundation at Ochanja central market, among others.”
Addressing the protesters, the State Chairman/Managing Director, Physical Planning Board, Barrister Chike Francis Maduekwe called for calm, assuring that their complaints would be given the attention they deserved.
While denying knowing the development, the chairman, promised to meet with all the concerned stakeholders including the traders themselves, next week was to look into the matter.
