Traders at Bridgehead market, Onitsha, Anambra State are currently in panic mode due to rumours making the rounds that the major entrance and exit gates of the market may soon be demolished.
When newsmen visited the market, traders were sighted in groups discussing the possibility of demolishing the two major gates of the market.
One of the traders who pleaded anonymity said the Transition Chairman of Onitsha South Local Government Area, Mr. Emeka Orji, had concluded plans to bring down the gates built during the tenure of Chief Sunday Obinze.
Our source said that the incumbent Caretaker Committee Chairman of the market, Chinedu Ezekwike, has been served with demolition notice.
The traders said that there was no genuine reason to pull down the two gates that cost over N10m to build.
They said even if the place was made to be road, they could still clear the street traders there and make use of the place especially during the day, then close the gates at night for security purposes.
“The gate is also very strategic and designated as Ogbogwu bus stop for our esteemed customers who are patronizing us.
“It passed through the centre of the Market, pulling down the gates that provides security to the flourishing multi-million naira Market might expose the entire Market to unforeseen danger,” the traders said.
The traders also said the security situation in the dtate had even superseded every other purpose of pulling down the gates, stating that Governor Chukwuma Soludo would not be happy if he hears that robbers invaded the Market which provides source of income to many people in the State who equally pay taxes to the State.
They then called on the Governor to prevail on the Chairman of Onitsha South Local Government Area to stop the planned demolition since it would adversely affect the traders of the market.
Efforts made to speak to the Chairman of the Market failed as he did not pick his calls nor returned the calls.
Orji could not also respond to our inquiries on the matter as he was not on seat when journalists visited him.
When his handset was called he did not pick neither did he respond to our text messages.
CREDIT: Polycarp Ifeanyi, Onitsha
