The ongoing systematic dispossession came to light following the resistance of some of the traders not to pay any unauthorized fees as imposed by the contractor.
By Frank Ikoro
While Governor Alex Otti is working hard at ensuring that his government continues to operate with human face, some unscrupulous elements appear to be busy working to denting the image of his administration.
This is sequel to the allegations of systematic dispossession of lock up shops belonging to some selected traders in the ultra modern Ariaria Int’l market in Aba. It is alleged that the contractor handling the market project where shops lawfully owned by traders are being systematically taken away from them. And are given to others, especially people said to be the kinsmen and women or friends of the contractor.
The ongoing systematic dispossession came to light following the resistance of some of the traders not to pay any unauthorized fees as imposed by the contractor. It was gathered that the contractor has been going about demanding huge sums of money from original owners of such shops. Whom he threatened would forfeit their shops if they failed to comply with his demand. He also threatened them with disqualification, dispossession or outright reallocation of such shops to new applicants. This is irrespective of the fact that the shops were officially allocated to the traders following due process under the present government of Alex Otti.
However, one of the traders who spoke to us in condition of anonymity vowed to resist the contractor with all legitimate means.
Producing every evidence of all the official transactions of the said shops between him and the developer, he wondered why the contractor is threatening to deal with the traders.
He described as ridiculous the contractor’s threat over what is supposed to be a permanent arrangement as entered into at the commencement of the allocation exercise. is ridiculous he said.
While accusing the contractor of high handedness, the trader appealed to Governor Alex Otti to intervene on the matter. He argued that the contractor has no right whatsoever to impose any fees against them without due process. He described it as a wicked plan that is capable of putting a question mark on the ongoing good governance posture and reputation in the state. A development, he said for all the traders especially those of them in Ariaria Int’l market are proud of.
He made it clear that the contractor in recent times has been going about boasting that he will go on to make good his threats. Just as he assured that not even the governor nor his government can stop him from carrying out his threats.
However, in their collective bargaining, the traders regretted that if the contractor is allowed to have his way have a negative effect on investments in the area.
They noted that it will not only instil fear on other prospective investors, it is sure to scare them from coming to invest in Abia State.
The trader likened the ejection threat as a vendetta being carried out against those whom the contractor accused of being responsible for his failure and inability to secure contract extension.
The contractor had failed in his bid to handle the second phase of the ongoing remodeling efforts of the market. He, thus, blamed his failure on a few selected traders around A by F Lines Junction that is now known as Mbonu Ojike Plaza in the market.
Other traders who spoke on the development urged the Governor to act fast. They urged him to stop the contractor from this infamous acts designed at corruptly enriching himself at the expense of the innocent traders who by implication are his ardent supporters and admirers.
They stated that such actions by the contractor if not checked will be portraying Abia State Government as a government that is inconsistent with honouring it’s obligations to prospective investors.
Furthermore the traders observed with regrets that though government has since given approval papers to those whose applications were granted, it doesn’t speak well of anyone including the contractor to try to reverse the agreement. They expressed disdain for boasting that he has the power to decide who gets or who doesn’t get the shops in the market as dubious.
All efforts to reach the contractor to talk to our reporter failed, just as telephone calls put to the office of the Honourable Commissioner for trade and commerce didn’t get through.
Frank Ikoro writes from Umuobiala, Isuikwuato, Abia State