By Daniel Tyokua
A scheduled meeting between Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC) and Apo Traders Association over land allocation was halted last week due to disagreement among the traders over leadership.
A meeting which was convened at the instance of the Coordinator, AMMC, Mr. Felix Obuah as a facts finding mission over the lingering agitation, was marred when multiple unions and individuals appeared with claims and counter claims.
The gathering almost turned into free for all, but was calm down by the coordinator who presided, abruptly ended with anger and frustration, as many of the multiple associations accused each other of appearing before the panel with fake documents.
Recall that some of the fractions of the associations had last Thursday blocked the entrance of FCT Minister at Area 11, but where later dispersed, after the Minister, Nyesom Wike addressed.
Some of the Apo Traders’ Associations have been agitating for allocation of land for a permanent site, provision of basic infrastructure , before they could vacate the road corridors, to allow the ongoing dual carriage road project.
Obuah who expressed displeasure over the multiplication of associations, disunity and in-fighting among the traders, also warned that the government will neither deal with illegal organisations, nor allocate land to the groups, without a united front.
According to him, every illegal structure standing on the right of way of the ongoing road project, will be removed.
He however, urged them to go and put their house in order, while also assuring that all the documents the groups are brandishing may not be competent to earn them government’s attention.
Obuah also charged the various fractions of the associations to unify their stand and come with a common platform to present their request.
Some of the factional leaders who spoke at the meeting, included Chimezie Ifeh and Michael Ndubisi who claimed to be leaders of Apo Traders Associations and Apo Mechanic Village, respectively.
Ifeh accused other leaders of the traders, of ulterior motives aimed at hijacking the land allocation meant for traders affected by the road construction.
Ndubisi argued that many of the people posing as representative of the traders, were out to undermine the interests of larger members of the groups.
