Abia Traders allege unequal treatment in demolition of shops in Front of New Mall at Aba South.
Some displaced traders whose shops were recently demolished as a sequel to the opening of a new mini mall within the fence-side premises of the Aba South Local Government Area (LGA) have alleged that their removal looks very strange, as some shops are still left untouched at the same place. This is even as the traders went ahead to allege that the Aba South LGA authorities may have gotten involved in what could be termed nepotism, following the demolition of other people’s shops with the exception of two shops alleged to belong to someone closer to people in authority at the LGA.
“You can see why some of us are angry. Why should such be happening in this LGA? We were told that with the establishment of the mall, our shops are not supposed to be there. “We took whatever was available and left. Since we left, you can see that two shops blocking the mall from the entrance gate side of the LGA are still standing. “Why? Were we all chased away because we don’t have our brothers as heads in various LGA top offices?
Is it because we don’t know the mayor, deputy mayor, supervisory councillors and other high-level LGA officials? Why would such a level of nepotism be going on here?” one of the displaced traders who chose anonymity said. Another trader who simply gave his name as Chrysogonus said that what is happening in front of the Aba South LGA Mini Mall is not only an act of nepotism but complete toleration of sacred cows, which is an embarrassment to everyone doing business in Aba.
“Why should there be selective justice? If you say that where people are occupying is illegal or the government wants to use it for something, why must you chase some people and leave some people? “Are they not paying the same tax to the government? If this had happened in Lagos, I’m sure all Igbos would be online shouting about how Yoruba people are being clannish, but this one is happening in Aba. “Why can’t we see what’s happening there as clannish and extremely unacceptable?
Is this place an animal farm where some animals are more equal than others? “This is not the first time we are hearing things like this. How can they be doing this? We are not complaining for them to give us back the shops they’ve already demolished, no. We’re all complaining because we feel betrayed by the contractor and the Aba South LGA, who made it clear to us that all of us must vacate the premises.” A source within the area who simply gave his name as White said that since the demolition exercise that took out the other shops in front of the new mall was done, he has been wondering why the two lock-up shops are still standing.
“I’ve been loading vehicles at this Ochendo Park for many years; even when York was active, I was here. However, I don’t understand why the government of Aba South will chase other traders and leave these two shops belonging to one man there. “I may not have gone to school or probably gotten a better education, but when I see corruption, I know. How can the demolished shop get to the fence of the Heritage Bank but leave the two shops that began the line of shops from the beginning of the shops there?
That man talking to you was among those chased out here, and I see some of them are not happy. Well, they should take it that way; that’s the country we live in. All of them, including the woman that sells food to us here, were all sent parking
