Hundreds of market women on Tuesday took over the Eight Miles axis of the Murtala Mohammed Highway in Calabar to protest against their relocation.
The protest took place near Agrofeed Junction close to the Army checkpoint during which the women claimed that they were illegally relocated from the roadside market at 8 Miles to Ikot Eneobong market.
The women also alleged that sales are poor at the Ikot Eneobong market because of excessive taxation, payments for tickets, and bad road.
The traders claimed they pay a huge amount of money for space but record poor sales because of the bad road that leads to the Ikot Eneobong market.
The traders said, “They sent us away from our main market, that it was a community land. In 2007, the wife of the late President Yar’Adua came here and commissioned this 8 Miles market for us to sell our fruits and all manner of items.
“Why are they now sending us away from here to a place where you do not even have access road? This is what we will not accept.”
The Chairman of Calabar Municipality, Hon. Effefiong Nta who was accused of frustrating them and collecting money from them denied the allegation.
Copyright PUNCH.
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.
Contact: [email protected]
