The demolition of Ojuelegba, a popular Amala joint in Maitama area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has left both workers and customers of the ever busy eating joint bemoaning their plight, ADEOLA TUKURUwrites
In front of what was once a flourishing restaurant business popularly known as Ojuelegba Business starter watched as customers, workers and passersby tried to make sense of the confusion that followed the demolition by the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA).
Our correspondent who visited the place reports that the bulldozer left in its wake tears of lamentation and sorrow after it was long gone.
A few feet away from the rubble was a former employee of Ojuelegba, a security man who seemed unwilling to leave the place.
Also, some customers who had come with the hope of eating were seen shaking their head in shock and amazement over what was once a joint where they always enjoyed an African delicacy.
The restaurant’s employees have now fallen into the category of the millions of unemployed Nigerians who are said to be unemployed.
In a chat a former employee of the place, Mr John Agada who express concern said there was nothing they could do about the demolition saying that with serious unemployment in the country getting another job was going to be difficult.
According to him, the demolition has inflicting more pain on the workers. “I have only been managing and I have a wife and children to cater for.
“I have accepted my fate because life goes on though a lot of people have been rendered jobless with this demolition,” he said.
Other workers were also seen assessing the damage with tears filled eyes. One of them, Ms Temitope Ojo said she searched for a job for almost a year before she was employed four months ago.
“Now, look at what has happened. Where am I going to get another job? She lamented.
Another worker who pleaded anonymity said “I had been looking for a job for years until I got one as a dish washer in Ojuelegba.
“Since I came to Abuja to seek for greener pastures, I finally got this one to cater for my children as a single mother and I have been working there since last year,” she said.
Amala joints are fast becoming one of Abuja’s launch rendezvous and one of the places that unite several classes of people in the nation capital.
Amla is a local Yoruba delicacy which is made from Cassava flour, grounded yam and chips and look blacks when prepared.
It’s been observed that most restaurants across the country now have this delicacy on their menu.
While some people love amala because it is light and easy to swallow, others are fascinated with the meal because of the soups with which it is eaten, gbediri and ewedu all with an assorted meat, fish and ponmo.
Some residents who live around the Maitama spoke on the demolition of the joint. Mr Jaiye Arome said he enjoys the meals especially amala and gbegiri at Ojuelegba because of how it is prepared.
He said he will miss the joint and also likes the reception of the staff.
Amala joints are turning out to be lucrative businesses in the city just as the craving for the tasty dish has broken cultural and ethnic barriers.
Another customer, James Obasa , a driver says he enjoys the delicacy at Ojuelegba and he did not mind eating there three times a day though he has only tried it a couple of times as he takes dinner at home with his family .
He said though he is not from the Western part of the country but he enjoys eating amala because it is light and very easy to digest especially with gbegiri and ewedu .
Another resident of Maitama who pleaded anonymity and claimed to have visited most of the joints within the city centre including Ojuelegba said the meal was very delicious especially abula.
The Managing Director/CEO of Ojuelegba, Olushola Bello in a telephone conversation with Business Starter said they have accepted the demolition with fate as the will of God.
He said though they started the business at Maitama in not less than a year they have made a lot of customers.
He confirmed that according to the FCTA plan, the location was not meant for a food joint and they have directed all their customers to their new location.
He also said Ojuelegba has moved its location to Garki assuring its numerous customers of better service.
According to officials of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), the said restaurant known as Ojuelegba Amala Point is operating illegally as the place is not allocated for the purpose and therefore constituting nuisance causing traffic gridlock and other unnecessary nuisances in the area.
The spokesperson of the Department of Development Control, Mr Larry James also revealed that the management of the restaurant has been served several notices but failed to adhere to the warnings which led to the development.
