By Tochukwu Eluwa-Delta
The Chairman of Oshimili South Local Government Area,Hon.Uche Azuka Osadebe has reacted to the protest staged by some traders in collaboration with some indigenes of Asaba against their eviction from a section of the popular Ogbogonogo market in the State capital Asaba which is earmarked for reconstruction.
Recall that some of the protesters accused the Oshimili Council Boss of attempting to forcefully take over their lands and hand it over to non Asaba indigenes coming from across the Niger.However in a swift reaction, Hon.Osadebe who spoke to members of the Online Media Practitioners Association of Nigeria(OMPAN) Delta State chapter in his office today tuesday,10th November, 2020 said it is untrue that the market was contracted to an IBO man ,he adduced that the rebuilding of the market was contracted to an Asaba son Hon.Dada Okonji .The council boss reiterated his commitment of giving the people of Oshimili South the right of first refusal in any project his government wants to embark on.
On the issues of forceful eviction of the traders from the market, he said such claim is fallacious as him and his team has been interfacing with the traders ever since ,he stated the traders have been part of the process leading to the award of the contract for reconstruction of the market, he further adduced that the traders even approached the Ogbogonogo Market Management Committee to look for an alternative place where they could trade while the construction of the market is ongoing. He said himself and his team in a bid to be responsive to the demands of the traders provided an alternate market for them at Arcade.
Hon Osadebe however advised some of the misinformed traders not to allow themselves to be used by his political detractors to score cheap political points.He said his doors are always open for negotiation and he hinted that he will be having a town hall meeting with indigenes of Asaba and the affected traders on Thursday 26th Novermber,2020 at Art and Culture Event Center,he called on all interest parties to endeavour to attend.
He reiterated his commitment to focus on completion of ongoing projects across the council,stating that he cannot be intimidated or cowered by cheap blackmail, he warned those trying to use the issue of the market and the affected traders to ferment trouble to desist form that forthwith. He expressed his readiness to resettle the traders at Arcade when they are ready.
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