The Owerri Capital Development Authority (OCDA), has issued a 1-month ultimatum to traders occupying the old timber market to relocate to their permanent site in Naze, Owerri North Local Government Area in Imo State.
Francis Chukwu, the General Manager of OCDA, made this known to the traders while on an official assignment aimed at recovering illegally owned land assets across the city of Owerri.
Chukwu told pressmen that the activities of the Authority are channeled towards restoring the master plan of the state’s capital.
Reactions, however, gathered by TOAST FM’s correspondent, revealed that the traders believe the time given for relocation is too short and inconsiderate, as it may take much effort to move to the permanent site.
One of the building material traders at the old timber market, Ogoke, narrated how detrimental the move will be to his business and family, considering the festive season that is at the corner.
“This is already December period. What are supposed to do? They should have given us more time,” he said.
A customer, Johnson, who claimed to frequent the market a lot, stated that the relocation of the traders will affect the easy purchase of goods; especially as the deplorable state of the roads leading to the Naze Market makes it hectic.
Some of the traders pleaded for a review of the decision, requesting for possibly 6 months to relocate, or preferably that they be granted a chance to maintain the location based on the good records of conduct demonstrated by them.
They pointed out that the market was off the road, hence their activities caused little or no obstruction to the easy flow of traffic.
