Onitsha traders protest building on weak structures in Ochanja Market

ONITSHA, Anambra – Traders at  Ochanja Central  market Onitsha , Anambra State, on Friday, protested  against plans by some high ranking individuals   to construct shops on top of old and weak buildings in the area.

The protesting traders called for the immediate suspension and arrest of those behind the construction of illegal structure.

The  aggrieved traders,  during the protest  barricaded both  State Headquarters of Physical Planning Board, Amawobia and the gate of the State Government House, along Enugu-Onitsha expressway, Awka, said that  they were in the state capital to appeal to the governor, Willie Obiano, to urgently intervene to prevent future building collapse that may lead to loss of lives and properties in the market.

Speaking to journalists on behalf of the protesters Chief Gabriel Okwuneme, accused the markets leadership  of high-handedness in the affairs of the market.

He accused  leadership of  the market  for collaborating with some State Government agents to construct shops on top of the weak buildings.

According to him, “we are in Awka, to protest against illegal construction of shops at Ochanja central market. The market was built with one storey foundation   and the leadership of the market are trying to build shops on top of the one the one storey. The   foundations are weak and old, in which we found it dangerous to our lives and that of our means of livelihood”

“We call on the state government to order for the discontinuation work”.

Okwuneme, also called on the Governor, to intervene in the ugly situation to avert impending crises. Some of the placards displayed by the protesting traders read: ”Save our lives now at Ochanja central market, governor Willie Obiano, we need your help now, Physical Planning Board why are you people keeping quit, Ochanja central market is not for sale, say no to illegal shops at Ochanja central market, illegal shops at Ochanja central market will collapse very soon, say no to additional building  without foundation at Ochanja central market, among others.

Addressing the protesters, the State Chairman/Managing Director, Physical Planning Board, Barrister Chike Francis Maduekwe called for calm, assuring that their complaints would be given the attention it deserved.

While denying having knowledge of the development, the chairman, promised to meet with all the concern stakeholders including the traders themselves, next week, to look into the matter.