There was tension in Onitsha, commercial hub of Anambra State on
Saturday when police and other security agencies took over Modobe plaza
in Madueke Street, sacking the traders.
The closure was sequel to the order of the government to shut down
street trading in the state.
The commissioner for Trade Commerce and Wealth Creation, Dr Christian
Madubuko had on July 19 in the morning stormed the market with a
detachment of security operatives and ordered the security agencies to
shut down the market Plaza.
He told traders numbering over 70 000 people to vacate the Madueke
Plaza, Onowu Anatogu, Afubera and other adjourning street immediately or
face demolition.
He warned them that the state government has decided to shut down the
market, following government ban on street trading.
He directed the security agents not to allow the traders to open their
shops for business in the area while advising them to relocate to a
private market built by some traders at Ogbunike in Oyi Local Government
Area of the state.
The commissioner was accompanied by the Area commander Onitsha, Mr John
Obuagbaka during the visit.
The Chairman of Madueke Traders Association, Mr Bede Iwunze said most of
the traders had no shop at the Ogbunike Market built by the Provision
and Cosmetics traders.
He said that the Madueke plaza is a private plaza built by Modebe family
and they are tenants to Modebe family.
He said that most of the traders cannot afford the money to buy shops at
the Ogbunike Market.
He passionately appealed to Gov. Willie Obiano to come to their aid so
as to give them a soft landing.
“We have children and dependents and we have no other means of
livelihood except our shops.
Another trader, Mr Jude Anibueze told our reporter that some group of
importers, at Afubera Street had also built shops for themselves at the
Ogbunike Market and wanted to move them by force to their shops where
they would pay exorbitant price.
Chairman of Modebe Street Traders whose name was simply given as kpajie
Modebe told them not to worry that they had gone to court with the state
government over the same matter and got judgment in their favour.
“The plaza belongs to Modebe family and not government”.
He, however, told the traders who contributed money or own shops at the
Ogbunike market to relocate to the market, if they so wish.
“We are not asking you not to go to the market if you want, but for the
plaza it is our own and nobody or group of persons can eject you from
here, if you wish to stay,’’ he concludes.
Meanwhile the police at the area command had while leaving the market
arrested some traders and whisked them away.
The order and the arrest has also prompted stampede in the market as
traders scamper to pack their goods to a more safer place, while
hoodlums cash on the opportunity to cart away goods worth millions of
naira.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer of Anambra state
police command, SP Harunna Mohammed said he had yet to be briefed on the
closure of the market.