FROM CHUMA AUSTIN, ENUGU
Over two weeks after Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State ordered the immediate reopening of the Enugu New Artisan Livestock market, the Enugu North Local Government Council, the Chairman, Emeka Onunze, whose Council area the market is located, has flouted the directive, insisting that the place remains shut.
The market which was Gazetted in 2006 as the “New Artisan Goat Market” by the Enugu State Government under the administration of former governor Chimaroke Nnamani, was duly allocated to traders operating in the place.
However, it was shut down in December 2016, by government, following some issues, including litigation by one Emeka Nnaji, who is laying claim to some portions of the market, which was reopened on March this year after Governor Ugwuanyi’s intervention.
The leadership of the Traders Association, led by Alhaji Abubakar Danlandi, told reporters that they were shocked that the same Enugu North Council Boss who personally came to inform them that the Governor has asked them to return back to the market made a U-turn to report them to the police, accusing them of forcefully entering the market.
The traders in a letter of Save our Soul (SOS) to the Governor, written on their behalf by a Human Rights organization, Civil Rights Realization And Advancement Network (CRRAN) said they were yet to comprehend the action of the local government Chairman, describing it “as
strange turn of event at the New Artisan market.
According to the letter entitled: “Sir, Appeal for your urgent intervention” signed by President of CRRAN, Olu Omotayo, the traders, mostly made up of Nigerians of Northern extraction , said the new development has thrown them and their families into confusion and pain.
Parts of the letter read: “We write for your urgent intervention in respect of the above mentioned matter. Mr. Emeka Onunze, Chairman Enugu North Local Government was reported to have met the leadership of Northern traders and their members at the market temporary site at about 12noon on the 24th March 2021, and conveyed to them that the governor of Enugu State had directed the immediate reopening of the Goat Market (New Artisan), which was closed down in December 2016.
“Mr. Emeka Onunze thereafter led the traders and their leaders to the closed down Goat Market and took them round the market and directed them to put necessary machinery in place for the immediate smooth operation of the market.
“The traders both the indigenes and their Northern counterpart joyfully troop into the market and resume market activities praising the state government.
“Surprisingly the same Emeka Onunze, on the 29th march made a complaint to the Police that the leadership of the market and the traders forcefully re-entered the closed down market and sought Police intervention.
“The leadership of the market was invited and they explained the events of 24th March 2021, where Mr. Onunze, came with other officials of local government and addressed hundreds of traders on the decision by the government to immediately reopen the market.
“We find this development very strange and unhealthy for the state and the country at large. People elected to hold public offices should know that a high level of responsibility and trust is reposed on them when dealing with the citizens” CRRAN said.
“The actions, dishonesty and utterances of this local government chairman to say the least is reprehensible and reckless. The action of Mr. Emeka Onunze has criminal intent to deliberately cause chaos, breakdown of law and order and incite violence against some class or group of Nigerian citizens.
“We condemn the actions of Mr. Emeka Onunze as unbecoming of a political office holder and it’s dangerous to the peaceful coexistence in this country.
“We urge you as the chief security officer of the state to urgently intervene in this matter and ensure that this fellow do not go further to cause breach of peace, law and order by his dangerous activities.