Alphonsus Nweze
Governor Willie Obiano has been called upon to urgently intervene and stop with immediate effect the construction of illegal structures at the Onitsha Main Market.
A former Executive Chairman of Onitsha Main Market, Chief Nnamdi Unobuagh made the call in an interview with newsmen in Onitsha at the weekend. He raised an alarm over an impending danger if the construction was allowed to go on.
He lamented that the illegal construction was taking place at the only motor park inside the market by yet to be indentified individuals but who are suspected to have been working in consonance with the market executive and some government officials.
Appealing to the Governor to urgently intervene and stop further construction, the former market boss said the market was already fllied with stalls and any additional construction was a potential danger in the events of fire.
A possible riot that could have shook the market was averted when some of the leaders of the market, comprising of line chairmen and secretaries trouped out to confront the alleged developer who was seen at the park strategizing on how to commence the construction.
Unobuagha who spoke to newsmen in his home town, Ogidi in Idemili-North Local Government Area of the state on Boxing Day noted that the motor park was the only place among all approved parks for loading and offloading of goods as well as acting as an exit in case of fire disaster.
He condemned any attempt to endanger the market and the lives of traders by the construction.
“I am appealing to Gov.Obiano to use his good office to stop the building of illegal stalls at the only park of the market and save the traders from danger. The market don’t need additional stalls but requires what will improve the already existing jam-packed structures,” he said.
