Hon. Malachy Okey Onyechi, member representing Nsukka West State Constituency in the Enugu State House of Assembly, has appealed to the Enugu State government to halt the move to demolish Ogige Market and Nsukka Motor Park.
He stressed that the market is the commercial nerve centre, as well as the largest employer of labour for the people of his constituency, saying it boasts of economic activities to the tune of over N50bn in assets.
Onyechi, who picked holes with the planned demolition, specifically expressed concern over the manner of the management of the relocation exercise.
The lawmaker said this was responsible for the mistrust, discontent and tension generated over the government’s plan to construct a bus terminal in Nsukka in order to address challenges encountered by commuters and the general public in the area.
In a personal statement issued on Sunday in Nsukka, Enugu State, Onyechi said that he intended to use the medium to explain to his constituents his stand and the moves he had taken as their representative, hoping that they get the response, and the promises it holds in good faith.
He said his office has been inundated with complaints from the people of Nsukka West constituency on the issue of the 72-hour notice to demolish part of Ogige Market Nsukka.
Onyechi said his on-site assessment of the situation confirmed that the government of Enugu state truly intends to carry out demolition at the said market, as the traders were seen frantically attempting to remove their goods, and salvage some reusable building materials, a development he said came as a huge surprise to the shop owners, well-meaning individuals, stakeholders and even those of them in the business of representing the people.
He further lamented that there was no adequate consultation with people who would be affected by the demolition before the notice was suddenly conveyed to them, with an order to vacate premises within 72 hours.
According to him, the people whose shops were affected have been worried as to the current status of their means of livelihood, and what becomes of their hard earned properties whom some have held across generations, and spanning several decades.
Newspot reports that the Enugu State government had recently issued a 72-hour demolition notice to shop owners to vacate the market.
According to the government, it was planning to construct a modern transport terminal in the area.
Reacting to the development, Onyechi noted that the move to construct a bus terminal in Nsukka was timely, and represents a major breakthrough in solving some of the huge challenges encountered by commuters and general public within Nsukka metropolis.
He, however, pointed out that the project generated mistrust, discontent and tension, not on the question of whether it is a need or not, but rather in management of the relocation exercise.
Onyechi said that even his on-site assessment and a visit to the proposed Aku Road Market as alternative showed that the shops available for rent to new applicants weren’t up to 5000 as purported by some market leaders.
Appealing to the state government to suspend the intended demolition of the park and the market, Onyechi recommended that “Government should set up an inclusive committee with mandate to coordinate the process of refund of tax payments made by the traders for the months when business were disrupted and the process of compensation for traders who would lose their shop.
“This is very important as many of them have borrowed money to finance the acquisition of the shops.
“Monitor the process of relocating the traders to alternative market space and park to avoid exploitation by opportunists; and possibly relocate the proposed Bus terminal to some other places that may provide larger space, and preserve the activities that sustains the livelihood of a major part of Nsukka community.
“Call for a town hall meeting of Nsukka leaders, and other stakeholders to have a discussion on how to construct a new ultra-modern market and resettle the market to a new place with more capacity to accommodate teeming traders in the event that the present Ogige market is demolished; and best way forward to develop Nsukka metropolis without unduly occasioning untold hardships on the people.”
He continued, “In alternative to the demolition of the existing old park and the Ogige Market within Nsukka metropolis, we suggest to the State Government to consider siting the ultra-modern bus terminal outside Nsukka metropolis so as to develop other parts of Nsukka.
“It is to be noted that more than 10,000 traders, mostly women and youths, would be affected by the exercise, which will undoubtedly bring untold hardships on the people. I want the government to also note that this development, if not properly addressed, may lead to an increase in criminality and other social vices because a lot of people would be deprived of their legal means of livelihood;
“These demands are not out of place as that is the proper and constitutional way by which the government demolishes and acquires citizen’s properties all over the country.
“Adequate compensation should also be discussed with ample time for shop owners to vacate premises. But in Nsukka, no such discussion were held prior to the notice of demolition and this naturally generated distrust and discontent as 72 hours could not have been enough for people to remove their goods and adjust to the harsh economic realities;
“Finally, I urge the good and hospitable people of Nsukka West State constituency to be law abiding and of best character as they try to press for compensations and manage the sudden change and disruption of business activities.”
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