Chinedum Elekwachi
A group of traders at Agboedo United Market F Line Nnewi, Anambra state on Thursday protested alleged extortion and intimidation by officials of the Nnewi North Local Government Area.
The traders, who have been operating in the market for over 30 years, claimed that the local government officials have subjected them to unlawful levies and possible eviction.
The protest witnessed total lockdown of shops in the market as traders at the market entrance, carried placards with inscriptions.
The placards read, “We are under peaceful protest, “We are no longer happy”. “Explain the meaning of revalidation” and “We Want Justice.”
The protesters alleged that the chairman, Hon. Echezona Anazodo, and his cohorts have been collecting illegal levies from them.
They claimed that the officials asked for as much as ₦4.5 million and ₦5 Million as penalty for late payment.
Mrs Augustina Azubuike is one of the traders. “We have not received any support from the local government apart from harassment and intimidation by officials.
“They threaten us with eviction and we wonder why they will be this mean to us.
“This shop is a retirement entitlement to us which we are using in our old age to buy medications.
“We call on Governor Soludo, the solution governor not to mind their gimmicks. Their intention is to subject us to abject penury.
He feared that if not addressed, many traders who cannot afford the high levy will die out of frustration.
“We have built this market over the years, and now they are asking each of us to pay ₦5 million for shops at the rice section.
“This is unacceptable. Even the widows at Oduigbo are also expected to pay the ₦20,000 for revalidation.
“We are calling on Governor Charles Soludo to intervene and stop this extortion.”
Other traders speak
Other traders who don’t want their names on print for fear of victimization queried the owner of the special account, 1910999891 at Access Bank with name BOLTEV NIG LTD, where they mandated over 360 shops in Ogbo rice to pay in ₦4.5 million each totalling ₦1,620,000,000 billion naira.
“Under which authority, law and order is the mayor requesting for this payment? We are at loss of the imposition of ₦20,000 for the revalidation of 2,200 shops to the tune of ₦44,000,000.
“Why is this money being collected and why is there no receipt issued to that effect.
They alleged that the mayor is deliberately setting up governor Soludo for failure in this election year.
The traders praised Governor Soludo for his efforts in transforming the state.
They however appealed to him to look into the matter and bring the alleged extortion to an end.
They warned that if the situation persisted, it might lead to a mass voter protest during upcoming elections.
“These officials are making life miserable for us. The mayor should focus his efforts on how to reclaim erosion menace ravaging the market and do their internal roads, than setting up Soludo’s government against the traders and Ndi Anambra.
As at time of filing the report, there was no official statement from the Mayor.
Our correspondent witnessed the protest at the local government that turned into a solidarity rally for the Mayor.
He gathered that they were cowed to endorse the mayor for fear of victimization against their earlier stand, which was captured on video at the Agboedo United Market F Line Nnewi.
The protest has brought attention to the plight of traders in the market and the need for government intervention.
The traders expressed optimism that their voices would be heard and grievances addressed.
