Enugu Livestock Market Traders Protest, Distance Self From Alleged Demolition

Posted by Ignatius Okpara Featured, Latest Headlines, News Across Nigeria, News From The State Friday, April 23rd, 2021

(AFRICAN EXAMINER) – The Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority has distanced itself from the demolition of some structures at the crisis- ridden New Artisan livestock market in Enugu.

Our Correspondent, reports that traders at the market, mostly dominated by Nigerians of Northern extraction, had on Thursday, paralyzed commercial activities in the market, as they staged a protest over the state government’s directive to relocate them to another axis.

African Examiner recalled that the market has been under crisis, following governments quit , occasioned by a court order obtained by a citizen of the state, Chief Emeka Nnaji whose late father’s owns parts of the land where the troubled marked is situated.

But, the traders are insisting that they are not leaving the market, hinging their argument on the fact that they were duly allocated the place which was officially Gazetted by the past administration of Senator Chimaroke Nnamani .

Reacting to the demolition that was allegedly carried out in the market on Wednesday by the Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority ECTDA, the agency said it knows nothing about the exercise.

A statement personally issued by its Executive Chairman, Dr. Josef Onoh, made available to African Examiner read thus: “the Attention of Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority (ECTDA) has been drawn to the authority’s name being peddled in connection with the Thursday, April 22 2021 incident at the closed New Artisan market.

He added “Recall that the state government had in some years past shut down the new Artisan Market.

“ECTDA has been inundated with calls on inquiries, regarding a demolition said to have been carried out at the previous market.

“The Agency however, wishes to state that it is not aware of any enforcement at the New Artisan market, nor has it received any petition to that effect.

“Let it also be known that the ECTDA was not part of whatever activity that took place at New Artisan and do not have any business with whatsoever activity there. The general public should please be informed” Onoh stated.

ENDS