Halt planned demolition of Ogige Nsukka Market, Senator tells Mbah

Three National and State Assemblies members are urging Governor Peter Mbah to halt the impending demolition of Ogige market and Nsukka Motor Park in Enugu State following the 72-hour notice issued by the state government.

The lawmakers, including Senator Okey Ezea, Chidi Mark Obetta, and Malachy Okey Onyechi, have jointly appealed to the governor to suspend the exercise due to the current economic challenges facing the country, particularly Enugu State.

They are also advocating for the affected traders and shop owners to be compensated and relocated to an alternative market space and park. Expressing concern about the impact on over 10,000 traders, primarily women and youths, they believe the demolition will bring severe hardship to the people.

In their statement, they emphasize the need for dialogue with the Traders and Marketers Association of Ogige Market and other stakeholders to explore viable alternatives for Nsukka’s development. Additionally, they suggest locating the modern bus terminal outside Ogige Market to foster growth in other areas of Nsukka. The lawmakers highlight the potential rise in criminal activities if the demolition proceeds unchecked, urging a balanced approach that promotes development without inflicting undue suffering, especially during the nation’s economic and security challenges.