The city of Umuahia, the Abia State capital woke up to a peaceful protest by traders at the popular ‘Isi Gate’ one of the busy areas of the state capital.
The protest is because of the plan by the state government to stop their trading activities in the area (after providing a relief market for them).
The protesters were seen with various placards appealing to the Governor to give them more time to relocate from the area.
Responding to the appeals by the traders, the governor granted their request to allow them conduct their business in the area by extending the ultimatum to 31st December, 2019.
According to a press statement signed by Chief John Okiyi Kalu, the Honorable Commssioner For Information on the 8th of October, the Governor also “directs that they are to ensure that the sanitary condition of the area is good, maintain security, do not obstruct free flow of traffic and they are not to impede beautification work planned for the area.
“By this notice, all traders are expected to voluntarily leave the Isi Gate area before close of business on the 31st of December 2019 as anyone found there will be dealt with according to the law,” the statement reads.
Recall that on the 28th of September, 2019, Gov. Ikpeazu commissioned the new ultra modern relief market built for the traders at Isi Gate.
The relief market which has all the modern amenities of a standard market the Governor said is to ensure that the traders means of livelihood isn’t destroyed.
