‘Govt should compensate those affected by fruit market demolition’

The Agora of Zuba, Alhaji Muhammad Bello Umar,  has said  his major concern is that those who will be affected by the demolition of the fruit market should be adequately compensated and relocated within Zuba town. Alhaji Muhammad stated this when he summoned members of his traditional council and some traders to his palace for […]

The Agora of Zuba, Alhaji Muhammad Bello Umar,  has said  his major concern is that those who will be affected by the demolition of the fruit market should be adequately compensated and relocated within Zuba town.

Alhaji Muhammad stated this when he summoned members of his traditional council and some traders to his palace for clarifications about the government’s plan to demolish the market and shops in the area.

He said there was a misconception among some traders in the area over the planned demolition of the market. 

He said he and members of the traditional council are calling on the government to ensure that an alternative area was provided for them.

According to him, they are not against any meaningful development in the area. He noted however that a fruit market requires space where the sellers would display their wares for buyers.

“I want to reiterate once again that if the government decides to embark on the demolition of the market, it is free to do that but there should be adequate compensation for those who would  be affected and they should be relocated within Zuba,”  he said.

 “And I want the government to cast their minds back to an issue here in Zuba some 25 years ago where the building materials, scrap and livestock markets now at Dei-Dei were  actually in Zuba. When a similar issue came up about demolition and the traders had to leave, they couldn’t come back again up till to day, “ he said.

The traditional ruler therefore appealed to fruit sellers and traders who are relocating from Zuba to Madallah, near Suleja, to remain, assuring that he and members of the traditional council would ensure that the right  thing is done.