Donald Iorchir
There was a panic and wailing at Kuje forest market, when bulldozers of Kuje Area Council began demolition of the market in part of the slum dwellers.
Mr. Emmanuel Nwanchukwu, a resident, said Kuje Area Council’s swift action to remove some hoodlums in the market had met brick wall as hoodlums were in full control of the area.
Nwanchukwu said after persistent efforts to evacuate those criminals failed, the Council Chairman, Hon. Ishaku Shaban Tete, in conjunction with the Development Control Department, ordered task force to pull down every shop in the market, irrespective of their legal status.
However, there was a drama when the bulldozer operators resumed the next day to continue their task at the site, as pay loaders and excavators assembled under the tight watch of mobile police, SSS, army in protest.
Some evacuated their belongings in trucks, taxis and wheel barrows. Mrs. Iveren Katyo and Tabitha Orhena appealed to the council to relocate them because they lost everything during the demolition exercise.
She said she expected the council to have given them notice because they pay revenue every month.
Muhammed Sanni and Anthony Eze who were also affected and looked distraught at the sight of the bulldozers, apparently hoping more time should have been allowed for relocation.
