AMAC: Traders get 30-Day ultimatum to vacate Lugbe Timber Market

By Stanley Onyekwere

The Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) has issued a 30-day ultimatum notice to traders at the popular Lugbe Timber shed market and the Lugbe relocation market to vacate and relocate to their new site in Sabo Lugbe, and or risk severe actions.
This marching order was handed down to the traders by AMAC Vice Chairman, Lawrence Onuchukwu, who visited the traders in the affected places yesterday.
Onuchukwu, who was accompanied by Council Secretary, Ramat Abdullahi said that the ultimatum became necessary as traders in both markets were operating dangerously and illegally.
According to him, the electricity power high tension facility, under which most traders in the makeshift market are trading was dangerous and could cause more harm to them in case of any mishap.
“People are still under the high tension doing their business and I can say that they are ignorant of what they are doing.
“But for us as a government it is our duty to protect your lives and properties.
“We are giving you 30 days to vacate this place to your new site because I believe that 80 to 90 per cent of you have your shops in that new site.
“So there is no point of doing business illegally here when you have a place where the government have provided for you free of charge,” he said.
Responding, the traders, who through leaders of both makeshift markets, blamed their continued stay in both markets to lack of access road to the new site, however appealed for swift intervention to enable them move into the new site.
According to Chairman of Lugbe Timber market, Mr Chukwuemeka Ejieaba, other impediments to their movement into the new site include; absence of perimeter fencing, potable water and other basic amenities needed to support their trading activities.
He therefore pleaded with the Council to provide basic amenities especially access roads and water in the new site to encourage the traders to move in quickly.