Calm returning to Owerri as traders move to Naze, Relief, Egbeada markets
Palpable calm is gradually coming back to Owerri, the Imo State capital, as frayed nerves that greeted last Saturday’s demolition of Eke-Ukwu market at the city centre begin to relax.
Business Hilights had on last Saturday broken the news of the market demolition as it was going on.
The exercise was marred with sporadic shootings by security operatives who were guarding the execution of Governor Owelle Rochas Okorocha’s order to level the market in order to change the face of the city centre and relocate traders away to new markets in Naze, Relief and Egbeada axis of the city.
Besides, stakeholders in the market claim that they had a subsisting order barring the state government from any form of demolition by the government or its allies, pending the determination of the substantive suit filed at an Owerri High Court.
However, in an exclusive interview with Business Hilights on the matter, the Special Assistant on Electronic Media to the Governor, Dr. Ebere Ezewuji, said “The issue of Eke-Ukwu market relocation dates far back from previous administrations. When this administration came, it also saw the need and mustered the courage”.
“Already, two days ago, the Governor took associations of traders who were hitherto doing their business at Eke-Ukwu Owerri to three mega developed market in Owerri for sightseeing and inspection.
“One is the Relief market; second one is in Naze and the third one is in Egbeada and we all saw the massive shopping centres with the traders. Logistics are on ground to relocate the traders and the three markets have enough shops to contain all of them and even more.
“All the associations and traders who were on the inspection expressed happiness on the new market developments. Majority of them have started making necessary arrangements to get their shops and resume their businesses.
“One thing was made manifest during the inspection. All the traders expressed happiness that the age-long planned relocation has taken place in their time.
“Everybody in Owerri either living or doing business will tell you that Eke-Ukwu market has turned to den of robbers and criminals and they must stop.
“Many are happy that a governor that has the political will has done the deal. It is important to reveal that three successive governments in Imo State have all tried this mission, but could not accomplish it.
“What am saying is that about three governors before Owelle Rochas Okorocha could not do it, but he did it last weekend and still standing as governor today,” the SA noted.
On the complains that none of the alternative markets is fully completed for use, Dr. Nzewuji said “Out of the three markets, Relief market is completed already while those at Naze and Egbeada are currently at 95 per cent completion”.
“As am talking to you now, in two or three weeks, those two remaining markets at Naze and Egbeada will be functional for the traders. For the Relief market, any trader that has done the documentary needful can start trading today as facilities are on ground for business.
Giving more insights on reports of shootings and deaths, the Governor’s aid said “First of all I must say that it is so unfortunate that a good intention of his Excellency was technically hijacked by opposition politicians in Owerri and beyond.
Continuing, he averred that “There was no record of any death not to talk of three or four persons. It was unfortunate that a little boy los his life. But you may be surprised if I tell you that where that killing happened was very far away from the demolition area which is mainly Douglas Road and one wonders how it happened”.
“The incident allegedly happened on Mbaise Road which is very far away from the centre or even periphery of the demolition. Anybody that knows Owerri very well will attest to this.
“As am talking to you now, government of Imo State, the Police and other intelligent security agencies are investigating the matter and will surely get to the root of the killing. As a government that cares, we must find out what went wrong, what really happened that lead to the death of the Somtochukwu.
Dr. Nzewuji, again, claimed that “I can tell you that there were no deaths of three, four or five persons during the demolition or Eke-Ukwu market in Owerri”.
Before now, several illustrious sons of the Imo State have started reacting to the demolition and its aftermath.
Leading the pack of early response include Nigerian pioneer ICT investor and chairman of Zinox Group, Chief Leo Stan Ekeh who has through his pet project, Leo Stan Ekeh Foundation (LSEF), made a cash donation of N50 million to victims of the demolition and advised them not to take laws into their hands while issues are being sorted out at government and stakeholders’ level.
Also responding, the Senator representing Orlu Zone at the National Assembly, Chief Hope Uzodinma, said on resumption of the Senate this month, he will move for the institution of the panel of enquiry to get to the root of the matter.
Besides, another group of concerned Imo stakeholders’ in Abuja, have advised the Governor to resign based on abuse of due process and rule of law or get ready for impeachment process by the members of Imo State House of Assembly in no time.
Investigations conducted by Business Hilights within Owerri and environ on the feelings of the residents showed that majority including those whose shops and investments were affected saw the demolition as the best thing to happen to the city in the last 19 years of democracy in the state.
Many of them said the market had become the den of criminals especially in the evenings and early mornings as criminals rely on the poor security due to conurbation of the market and thickly residential sprawl over time.
Our correspondent also observed the emerging city calmness in the morning and evening around the city as the hustles and bustles associated with Douglas Road over the years have disappeared with the demolition.
Residents also agreed that demolishing the market is good, but it would have been better and more convincing if all the three market had been completed before the Saturday exercise.
