Traders at the popular Ngwa Road Market, Aba, on Tuesday, organised a peaceful protest at the Abia Government House, Umuahia over the closure of the market allegedly by the Nigerian Army.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the traders, bore placards, with different inscriptions, such as “We are under military siege at Ngwa Road”, “Please Gov. come to our aid”, “We are being intimidated by soldiers”, among others.
The Chairman, Ngwa Road Traders Association, Mr Ikenna Ohanaba, told newsmen that they had been denied access to their shops since May 30.
Ohanaba said, “Since May 30, our businesses have been on lockdown and we cannot access our business places because vehicles and human beings are not allowed within the area.
“This is as a result of the refusal of the military to allow us to have access to our shops.
“We are pleading with the government to intervene and help us out in this situation.”
Also, the Secretary of the association, Mr Chinedu Oforndu, said that about 100 shops in the market had remained shut for two weeks “because soldiers do not allow traders to enter the market.
“It has not been easy for us under this current economic situation to survive without our businesses running.
“The area of the market within Ibere Road to Ukaegbu Road has been the worst hit.
“We don’t know the actual reason for this action by the military,” Oforndu said.
He called on the State Government to intervene in the matter because their resources were running down and they were finding it to feed their family members.
In a response, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Trade, Commerce and Industry, Chief Nwaka Inem, commended the traders for registering their complaint with the government in a peaceful manner.
Discover more from starmich blog
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
