Kubwa traders count losses after a day’s closure of market

Business activities were on Thursday suspended at the market following the decision by the market authorities to temporarily close the market to express their grievances as well as draw the attention of the government to what they described as injustice and insensitivity of some FCT’s agencies to their plights.Some traders, who spoke to our reporter, […]

Business activities were on Thursday suspended at the market following the decision by the market authorities to temporarily close the market to express their grievances as well as draw the attention of the government to what they described as injustice and insensitivity of some FCT’s agencies to their plights.
Some traders, who spoke to our reporter, alleged that the decision to lock up the shops took them unawares, adding that the economic losses they incurred that day which ran into thousands of naira affected their businesses.
Those that sell food stuffs and other perishables, also complained of how they ran into losses as they sold off their products at giveaway prices to avoid losing them completely, while others said their products got spoilt, as a result of their inability to sell them.
Cynthia Ufoma, a tomatoes seller, who was among those that claimed ignorance of the decision to close the market, said she bought two full baskets of tomatoes the previous day, but managed to sell only one basket.    
“I had already bought the baskets of tomatoes when I got the information of the closure of the market and there was nothing else I could do than to sell it off at giveaway prices,” she lamented.
Most of the traders who were visibly angry with the situation, wondered why the sudden decision to demolish the market, even when they had paid their revenue levy to the council authorities.
Fred Egasi, who deals on plastics, complained that he just bought a shop in the market at a very exorbitant price and had not even finished recovering from the debts he incurred in the process of securing the shop.
Another woman, simply identified as Mama Ejima, said the action of the council had further demonstrated government’s insensitivity to the plight of the average Nigerian, arguing that demolishing the market without alternative arrangement being put in place for them would further impoverish the traders.
The President of the Market Traders Association, Buhari Sawa, said several efforts by his team to talk with the Bwari Area Council Chairman, Peter Yohanna Ushafa, proved abortive as he was said to be indisposed when they visited his office.
When contacted, the Director, FCT Development Control, Yahaya Yusuf, said the administration was not responsible for the alleged demolition, revealing they had earlier submitted an approved plan for development of the market to the area council.
He added that the plan was due implementation, urging the traders to corporate with the council authorities in their efforts to give a face lift and restore sanity to the market.