The traders of popular Ogbogonogo market in Asaba on Wednesday protested the planned demolition of a section of the market by Oshimili South Local Government authorities.
The traders in peaceful protest carry placards with messages, “We don’t want the section of our market demolished; and we will continue to protest until the council management will hear us.
Traders are said to be worried that the council has engaged James Law Nigeria Limited to demolish about 20 shops belonging to them at the mini market, despite the huge sum of money spent in the construction and modernization of the section of the market.
Speaking on behalf of the protesters, counsel to the traders, Barr. Peter Lotobi, said that about 320 shops were under threat of possible demolition at the section, adding that 3,000 shops were facing similar threats at the relief market as the council Chairman, Mr. Uche Osadebe, had engaged James law Nigeria Limited to carry out further demolition exercise and reconstruction.
READ ALSO: Delta Reps Caucus Pledges Commitment To Okowa’s Fight Against Insecurity, COVID-19
Barr. Lotobi explained that “the relief market section has two cold rooms for dairy products, six toilets and water borehole situated therein, while the mini market section also has toilets and water borehole.”
He, therefore, wondered why such shops built to specifications and commissioned by the first lady, Mrs Edith Okowa, about three years ago, could be marked out for demolition.
But the Council boss, Mr. Osadebe when contacted denied all allegations, saying that the management of the Council was only doing renovation after the fire incident, which destroyed some parts of the market recently.
