By Stanley Onyekwere
Following the looming planned demolition makeshift and other illegal structures within the Karu Market, in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), there is growing panic among some traders in the area.
Recall that the officials of FCT Administration had carried out markings of illegal structures around the market, which is located in Karu, a major satellite town sitting on major road corridors in the FCT, as it connects the city centre to Orozo and up to Karshi satellite towns of the Territory.
It was however, observed that some traders have abandoned the empty spaces in the Karu Market, and opted to trading by the roadsides, resulting in escalating the human and vehicular traffic problems in the area.
But, with the news of the planned demolition by the FCT Administration, some traders have started partial dismantle and removal of their wares to escape the looming dangers.
Also, some persons who have no approved shops to move into, were seen gathering their items and wondering what they would do to avoid their destruction or possible looting by hoodlums.
Reacting to the development, one Mohammed Tanko, he has been selling in the umbrella for years, said he was paying AMAC agents for using the space.
He noted that can only pray for God to take control, as he has no shop and cannot relocate his goods to any where.
For one Madam Victoria, one of the traders in the Market, said the removal of makeshift structures , especially umbrellas was long overdue, as the portion was designated car park and that it had made the market become a slum in the FCT.
According to her, she had to move her wares from the roadside into the shop, to avoid suffering loss during the demolition exercise.
She explained that some of the traders in the market joined those selling outside, because of the barricade that prevented people from accessing their shops.
She however, advised the market developers who are yet to conclude to open up path ways in the market to facilitate trade.
Similarly, one Kingsley Okafor said he knew that one day they would be sent parking from the illegal shops, but that the timing was not favourable as Abuja residents, including traders are going through untold hardship arising from fuel scarcity, no electricity, terrible traffic hold ups on roads and low business.
He however, appealed to the FCT authorities to give them a little time for things to ease off, like availability of petroleum products, then things will normalise and they would on their own move out of the illegal spaces.
“It is a pathetic scene at the entry point into the Karu Model market as trader now occupy the entire road allowing only one car to pass per time. Those selling fresh catfish and vegetables now occupy better part of the road.
“Some traders are selling directly under power high tension wire; and here are those who has decided to build makeshift shops and cover the Transformer. All this, your Royal Highness are not good for Karu in particular, and the city at large,” he stated.
Available checks revealed that Karu Main Market has a design that caters for all categories of traders, including the petty traders in the informal sector. They even trade on the major road causing motorists untold hardship going to and from work daily.
Meanwhile, the Senior Special Assistant on Monitoring, Inspection and Enforcement to FCT Minister, Ikharo Attah, had expressed worries over the proliferation of illegal structures in the area, saying his office would work in synergy with all stakeholders to addressing them.
According to him “ it is a pathetic scene at the entry point into the Karu Model market as trader now occupy the entire road allowing only one car to pass per time. Those selling fresh catfish and vegetables now occupy better part of the road.
“Some traders are selling directly under power high tension wire; and here are those who has decided to build makeshift shops and cover the Transformer. All this, your Royal Highness are not good for Karu in particular, and the city at large.
“With sensitive security agencies having/ offices and residential quarters from Karu to Karshi, complaints keep pouring in daily of difficulties crossing the Karu Market portion of the road. Also FCT residents including staff of the Satellite Town development Department at Karshi waste manhours daily on the road.”
