•Group faults demolition of houses in Delta
Leader of Orirere Group of Registered Association of Market Traders, Mile 12, Lagos, Mrs Precious Modupe Ojo, has expressed concerns over lack of proper consultation with market women in recent demolition of some markets in the state.
She said this shows a lack of sympathy for the plight of traders who struggle to survive on a daily basis. Ojo stated this at a stakeholders meeting organised by the NECA’s Network of Entrepreneurial Women (NNEW) in Lagos.
She emphasised the importance of adequate dialogue with traders before policy implementation by the government, stressing that such a move is a pointer to having responsible leaders at the helm of affairs.
“The government needs to keep everyone informed about market developments to enable unified action and constructive dialogue with local government officials. We are not troublemakers but are in the market to make money, and market affairs should not be politicised. It is only in Lagos that they look down on us as illiterates,” she said.
NNEW President, Mrs Adefunke Kuyoro, who was represented by the National Publicity Secretary, Mrs Eniola Mayowa, harped on synergy between market women and the government in situations like the recent demolitions in Mile 12, Ketu, and Shomolu markets, which allegedly claimed lives.
She noted that the stakeholders’ meeting organised by NNEW, with support from Global Affairs Canada and Actionaid Nigeria, was part of efforts to highlight impacts of the demolition on the livelihoods of market women.
Project Coordinator, NNEW, Mrs Funmilayo Arowoogun, lamented that unexpected demolition of markets without alternative structure, cut off traders’ source of income to support themselves, their children, and their husbands.
In his remarks, Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, who was represented by the Deputy Director, Lagos State Ministry of Environment, Mr Durosinmi Etti Olulanu, emphasised that toilet facilities, adequate water supply, sanitation staff, and waste management are essential needs for any market in the state to be certified.
THIS came as Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) faulted the recent decision of the Delta State government to demolish structures described by the government as illegal, in Asaba, the state capital.
The group described it as cruel, animalistic, insensitive, irresponsible and inhumane. HURIWA, through its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, decried the gale of demolition sweeping across the federation by “ruthlessly lawless, insensitive and wicked politicians.”
The rights group wondered how governors now drive households to the streets as internally displaced persons, even when absolute poverty, deprivation and mass hunger constitute some of the clearest signs of the costs of living crises in Nigeria.
HURIWA called on the Delta State government to provide immediate succour by allocating alternative resettlement for the displaced citizens.
“How these politicians live in mansions built from the sweat and commonwealth of the citizens while plotting all sorts of strategies to render citizens homeless, hungry and absolutely poor, is shocking. This is political insanity,” he said.
According to the rights group, the well-being and welfare of the citizens, including their economic and physical security, are the primary purposes of government.
It said government should be very sensitive, humane, responsible and provide alternative accommodation since housing is a fundamental human right.
HURIWA recalled that several property owners wept profusely on Friday, June 21, as the Delta State government’s task force on land recovery moved five bulldozers to Anwai Road and 74 Road areas, near Government House, Asaba, to demolish over 40 buildings.
The rights group said when a government becomes the messenger of homelessness and deprivation, then it is the time to rethink what the government is obliged to do to improve governance and deliver democratic gains to the citizens.
