By Daniel Tyokua
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has reopened the popular Abuja market, Dutse – Alhaji after closing it for four days.
The reopening followed the directives of the Minister of FCT, Malam Muhammad Bello.
Few days ago, the market named after the former Minister of state for the FCT, Olajumoke Akinjide shopping Arcade was temporary closed down because of offensive activities.
The Senior Special Assistant to FCT Minister on Monitoring, Inspection and Enforcement, Ikharo Attah, who led the exercise on Thursday, to inspect the level of compliance, announced that business will resume on tomorrow (Friday), but not without a promise to return to the market whenever reports of further illegal acts are discovered.
Attah who identified some black points, advised shop owners to prevent hawkers and petty traders from erecting structures around their shops.
He also warned the market management to desist from allocating parts of staircases and other corners that affects free movement within the market.
The Minister of the FCT, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, directed that, ” upon the intensive cleanup by the traders and management and every stakeholder here, that the market should be reopened with effect from Friday morning.
“The traders can commence trading that as far as he is concerned, the cleanup is satisfactory enough to ensure the safety and compliance to the AEPB as well as the urban and regional planning roles.
“It is open for business even as the minister wishes the traders well in what they will be doing during the booming December season”
A cosmetic dealer at the market, Alhaji Nura Umar while appreciating the FCTA for heeding to their appeal to reopen the market, said: “Initially we felt bad when the market was shut down, but at the end of the day we are the first beneficiaries of this clean and sane environment”
Vice Chairman of the market, Mrs. Christiana Eze, who blamed the market managers for allocating every available corner and space to petty traders, however assured that going forward the traders will own the market and protect it from all forms of contraventions.
“The truth is that the management caused us all these problems. They are the ones who allocate space for as little as N5000 or N10000 not minding the obstructions it will cause to the market.”
Reacting, the manager of the shopping complex, Mr Ezekiel Abiodun Olowookere promise that the environment will remain clean at all times.
“Yes we are very happy that the market will be opened tomorrow. We have been cleaning the market for 5 days now to make sure it looks very fine and now we are happy that everything looks good and the minister has allowed us to reopen.”
The FCTA while shutting down the market on Monday, had promised to reopen it when it’s convinced the traders and operators have done the needful in cleaning and maintaining their premises.
