From Felix Ikem, Nsukka
A retired Commissioner of Police, Mr. Sunny Ngwu has made a passionate appeal to the Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah to reconsider the planned demolition of some parts of Ogige Main Market, Nsukka, in Nsukka local government area of the state.
The state government had after marking some parts of the market for demolition to pave the way for the planned construction of a Terminal Bus Stop, gave 72hrs ultimatum to the traders to vacate the market.
Ngwu asked the Governor to consider the plight of the traders given the present harsh economic situation of the country and seek for alternative place for the sitting of the proposed Terminal Bus Stop.
Ngwu made the plea at a press briefing in Nsukka on Friday.
He said that the demolition, if eventually carried out will have devastating effects, not only on the traders but also on the people of Enugu North senatorial district, adding that the students of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) community are likely to be the most affected.
“I plead to our dear Governor, Peter Mbah to reconsider the state government’s plan to demolish some parts of Ogige Main Market for the sake of the trade.
“This appeal is about the plight of Nsukka people, it’s about the plight of Nsukka market traders that are facing eviction and demolition of their shops. I know that Governor Mbah is a father that has listening ears. I know that he will listen to the people’s outcry and have a change of mind. I worked with him during former Governor Chimaroke Nnamani’s administration. This request is therefore not a general one but personal.
“I may not have a shop in the market but I know the implication and the after effect of the demolition and I know too that it is for development. Gov. Mbah has good intentions for the people but it shouldn’t be the one that will affect their livelihood and well-being of the people.
“Nsukka or Enugu North zone has a vast land where developmental projects as this can be sited. We are not contesting the authority of the Governor over his choice of project location but we are pleading and requesting him to have a re-think and stop the intended demolition that will affect the majority of the people. This is the only industry in Nsukka minus the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. This is the only market where students get their needs and if you look at half of the market is marked for demolition”, he said.
Ngwu who traced the history of the market to when it was relocated from the present Mobile Filling station in Nsukka in 1948 to its present location in the town, said markets don’t just exist but have cultural and traditional backgrounds.
“Every market in Igbo land and South-East, in general, is based on cultural and traditional backgrounds and it takes a lot to have a market”.
He recalled that an attempt by the immediate past administration in the state to relocate the market to Ede Oballa was vehemently resisted by “Umu Ada” Nsukka (Nsukka Daughters) who went haywire and protested naked in broad daylight.
Ngwu attributed the former administration’s planned relocation of the market then to “bad” advisers who worked for their selfish interests rather than for the generality of the people. This was as he urged Governor Mbah to beware of sycophants who may use him to achieve their selfish motives. He however advised the traders to have faith in God, believing that He can make impossibility possible. should.
Meanwhile, as the race for the selection of the next vice chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka is about to commence, the former PPRO also appealed to Governor Mbah to assist Nsukka in producing the next vice chancellor of the institution, emphasising that since the inception of the university in 1960 that no indigenous person from Nsukka has been appointed it’s vice chancellor.
“We are pleading with Mbah to assist Nsukka to get the next vice chancellor of the University of Nigeria Nsukka. It is unfortunate that since the university took off in 1960, no Nsukka man or woman has ever been appointed the vice-chancellor. Nsukka has the highest professors in the South East, yet it has not produced the vice-chancellor of the institution,” he said.