By Abbanobi-Eku Onyeka
The Village Head of Karmo Sabo in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), FCT, Chief Umar Garni Sarkin Karmo, has warned that the proposed demolition of the community market and relocation of traders to a privately owned facility could trigger a communal dispute.
Sarkin Karmo, who appealed to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to halt the planned demolition, said relocating traders from Karmo Sabo to a market in Old Karmo could create disputes over traditional and community authority.
Speaking with journalists on Monday, the traditional ruler said Karmo Sabo, Old Karmo and neighbouring Idu-Koro were separate districts, despite their geographical proximity.
He said the Development Control had invited community representatives to a meeting where they were informed that approval had been given for the demolition of the existing Karmo Market.
According to him, the proposed alternative market is privately owned and may be beyond the financial reach of many ordinary traders.
“Some people have just N10,000, N20,000 or N15,000 to improve their businesses. How can they afford shops worth millions of naira?” he asked.
The traditional ruler also questioned the sustainability of the proposed six-month free occupancy arrangement, asking what would happen to traders after the concession expires.
He argued that community markets should not be abolished simply because a modern market had been constructed, citing Dei Dei and Karu as examples where traditional markets continue to operate alongside modern facilities.
Sarkin Karmo appealed to Wike to intervene before the planned meeting with the Abuja Investment Company and subsequent discussions with the FCDA Development Control.
He urged the authorities to allow the existing Tuesday Karmo Market to remain while addressing roadside trading and traffic obstruction.
He said the community had been working to prevent traders from spilling onto the road, stressing that the challenge could be tackled without demolishing the main market.
The village head warned that replacing an existing community market with a privately owned facility could create more problems than it solves, urging the FCT Administration to engage the community and seek a peaceful resolution.
