Occupants of shops demolished by the Federal Capital Administration (FCTA) in Kubwa are yet to recover from the “shocking experience“ of watching their source of livelihood reduced to rubble.
Background
The shops built around Kubwa Village market (Maitama Ultra Modern Market) numbering about 100 were demolished by the Federal Capital Administration (FCTA) six days after a kerosine explosion adjacent the market led to the death of 10 persons.
Chairman, FCT Ministerial Taskforce on City Sanitation, Ikharo Attah, who led the demolition exercise, on Wednesday said the shops were built directly under electricity high tension installations, while many were used to block access roads, making it difficult for rescue operations, in an event of emergency.
According to him: “Occupiers of these illegal shops have been put on notice for a very long time now, as many of their kiosks and illegal extension structures were removed.
He added that in the aftermath of the fire incident wherein about 10 persons lost their lives, the Taskforce had no option than to do what it believed was the right thing.
Demolition unjustified, shops not illegal - Trader
When Timeline.ng visited the demolished shops, affected traders were spotted standing in front of what used to be where they previously conducted business.
One of the affected traders who identified himself as Chidi Ndubuisi described the demolition as an unjustified act of frustration, stressing that his shop and some others were part designs of residential buildings sitting on a government allocated land.
“They are part of well structured residential buildings as you can see and weren't erected close to roads. In fact, they are very far away from roads,” he lamented.
“Rather than deal with circumstances that resulted to the blast, the FCTA went on a demolition spree. That's what happened here.”
Shops demolished despite assurance from landlords, Chairman Bwari LGA - Technician
A technician spotted clearing rubble with hopes of setting up a stand at what used to be his workshop lamented that the demolition was carried out despite assurances from the Chairman of Bwari Local Government.
According to him: "Landlords met with the local government chairman on Tuesday after the shops were marked for demolition. Following the meeting they all assured that there was no cause for panic. Consequently, many occupants who had initially complied with a 24-hour directive to vacate shops returned to continue conducting business. We all thought everything was settled until the bulldozers arrived and wreaked havoc."
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Demolition strategically aimed at promoting business inside ultra modern market - Traders
Another trader who simply identified himself as Mark dismissed the FCTA justification that demolished shops were built beneath high tension electricity cables.
“Thank God we can all see for ourselves that most shops, particularly the ones on this street are not under any high tension installation.
“We've always suspected that we would be someday compelled to move into the ultra modern market and the demolition has confirmed that suspicion.
“The demolition was ultimately fuelled by the belief that traders outside were somewhat the reasons why traders inside the market were not recording better sales.”
Corroborating Mark's claim, a cross section of traders inside the market admitted that were not blind to the realities that shops built around the market could limit sales of commodities on the inside.
“If I were a customer I wouldn't need to come inside to shop for items readily made available on the outside,“ said Grace a wholesale provisions shop attendant.
Despair and more despair
For Obioma and a few other affected traders, there's no favourable way out of the situation they now find themselves in. When asked if she would consider renting a shop inside the ultra modern market she lamented that that shops with vantage point have been rented out.
“Some of the stores are positioned in corners and heights that customers will not want to stress themselves to reach.
“Asides exorbitant rent, favourable spots have been taken by early bidders. As It is now, I feel hopeless and have no clue as to where to start from,” she said.
