…As Traders Ask for More Time After Ramadan
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) issued a seven-day notice to Apo-Dutse panteka traders on Tuesday, ahead of the planned demolition.
Comrade Ikharo Attah, Senior Special Assistant on Monitoring, Inspection, and Enforcement to the Minister of FCT, gave this notice when he visited the market to remind them of the need to follow the directive.
Attah, who was accompanied by security operatives and other senior administration officials, stated that the demolition deadline had been extended due to the traders’ appeal in the spirit of Ramadan.
He stated that a series of notices have been issued to the traders requiring them to vacate the premises.
The SSA who also revealed that most of the criminals hide in the market, said there are also few good individuals in the area.
According to him,”The market is the largest place for scrap and is illegal, it has been harbouring high degree of criminals, though there are still good ones.
“We had received series of complains and the minister of FCT has directed that the market should be removed because is illegal.We gave them one week, we have given them another five days notice and it has elapsed about 15 days, for them to quit.
“They have appealed that, they are humans so they should be allowed to finish the Holy month of Ramadan and Sallah before pulling down the place, but they have already started removing their things.
“We told them that is not in our powers to decide until the minister is properly briefed on the development, if he agrees then they will have two weeks to leave”
Meanwhile, the Vice Chairman of the market, Aminu Mohammed said they would not opposes the position of the government.
He said, “We would not oppose government directives, already we have started removing our things, but as humans we appeal for more time because of the Holy month of Ramadan, at least after the Sallah celebration we will leave finally”.
