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ENUGU: Nweke, APGA Guber candidate condemns demolition of Kenyatta market by state govt

...Promises greater sensitivity and accountability in decision making if elected

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Chetanne Chinelo, Enugu

The Enugu State Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Frank Nweke II, has described the demolition of Kenyatta market by agents of the state government as wanton destruction of livelihoods.

He made this known in a press release signed by him and made available to The Pacesetter Frontier Magazine shortly after the Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority demolished the market for reasons it said were “control measures due to the congestion of the city”.

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Chiding the government, Frank Nweke said the essence of governments was to cater to the welfare of the people.

The statement reads in full: “As a keen advocate of law and order, I recognize the prerogative of government to regulate town planning. I however condemn the wanton destruction of livelihoods at Kenyetta market, Enugu, in the early hours of today especially in these difficult economic times.

“Governments exist to cater to the welfare of the people and must therefore exercise authority with empathy. Critical stakeholder management, a reasonable alternative and intense public communication are important strategies for managing such circumstances.

“Like everyone else, I am curious to see what the land would be used for and whether it’s going to be appropriated by the usual group of people. Under my leadership, Ndi Enugu can be assured of far greater sensitivity and accountability in decision making”.

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Speaking at the scene of the demolition, the Chairman of ECTDA, Denge Josef Onoh blamed the leaders of the market for their inability to convince the traders to vacate the street market and move over to the better planned permanent site of the market, while noting that as far back as 2003, a site was obtained and designated as Enugu South International market and the successive state administrations failed to relocate the traders to that site in Ugwuaji.

He also noted that the area where the traders converted into a market was originally a place given to National Youth Council of Nigeria, NYCN, for Youth capacity development and recreation, but which the council turned into a building material market in the heart of the city center.