Stampede and protests greeted the demolition of Ifa Ikot Akpan Community Market in Uyo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
Straightnews gathered that the state Ministry of Environment and Solid Minerals led by its Commissioner, Mr. Charles Udoh had on Sunday November 13, 2022 moved in and allegedly ordered security men to pull down the local market.
According to the source, the team which came in with some bulldozers that demolished and parked the remnants of the make-shift stalls from the market for ease of traffic did not give any inkling to the people for fear of possible confrontation.
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Blueprint correspondent who visited the scene of the incident observed that the market shades and tables used by women to display their wares were destroyed by the men of Uyo Capital City Development Authority (UCCDA).
Angered by the demolition, some youths of the community who opposed the action of the state government blocked Oron road that is leading to the airport and women were seen with placards with the inscription “is this the kind of government we want?”
Speaking with our reporter, one Edet, the victim who is also the Community Liaison Officer (CLO) for the airport road expansion project said that he escaped death because the commissioner ordered some policemen to beat him without committing any offence.
Edet said he approached Udoh to quiz him on the reason behind the demolition since the state government did not serve the community any notice for the relocation of the market.
Covering with bloodstains, the victim said his attackers used machetes on him which left him with open wounds but managed to escape as they want to allegedly shoot him.
He alleged that the commissioner’s move was based on the community’s support for the governorship candidate of the Young Progressives Party (YPP).
“As I came out this afternoon to meet the Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Charles Udoh, I approached him and pleaded with him that the government did not give us any notice for the demolition of this market.
“The word that came out from the Commissioner’s mouth was that they were looking for me because I am the supporter of Bassey Albert of YPP, he ordered the policemen to beat me up and that Albert will not do anything.
“That was when the policeman hit me with a gun and he ordered a policeman attached to anti-cultism to beat me and the police brought out matchet beat me up and stabbed but I managed to escape,” Edet added.
A trader who gave her name as Eno from the community said that the news of the market demolition came to her at home and she ran down to check what happened.
She lamented that the market was the only place in the community she sells her goods to support her children in school as she is a widow with no help from anybody.
One Tony who confided in Straightnews said some traders affected by the demolition exercise wailed uncontrollably as they eked a living from the market.
He told our correspondent that due to the incident the community and youths of the village have gone in search of a suitable place to resettle the displaced petty traders.
Straightnews gathered from some sources that the proposed road in the area passes through the market. Though the ministry tried to convince the community to relocate to another place, such pleas fell on deaf ears.
‘‘Thank God that the ministry moved on Sunday when the traders were not in. If it were on a busy day, there would be serious fracas and resistance by the traders and their relations.’’
The Akwa Ibom Police Public Relations Officer, Odiko MacDon in response to Straightnews enquiry said ‘‘The police never assaulted anyone. We remain committed to civility to members of the public and a peaceful Society.
MacDon, a Superintendent of Police who dispelled rumour of police brutality by some members of the public during the demolition noted ‘‘Professionalism is our watchword.’’
Government clears air
Akwa Ibom State government, Monday, cleared air on the demolition of Ifa Ikot Akpan market, along the Airport Road on Sunday, saying it was an enforcement of the operation zero-tolerance on street trading and illegal markets it announced last year.
The Commissioner for Environment & Solid Minerals, Mr. Charles Udoh who made the clarification in a statement, noted that there had been sustained public education and awareness campaign to mitigate the increasing menace within the capital city.
Udoh decried attacks on the demolition team, by miscreants from the community, which left four members of team from his ministry injured.
He pointed out that the demolition exercise was successful and the environment given a much-desired face-lift for the benefit of our people and befitting of the gateway to a state capital.
His words, “Our attention has been drawn to a series of news reports and videos in circulation on various platforms which have deliberately distorted facts in an attempt to whip up politically-motivated sentiments.
“It is therefore pertinent to clarify as follows: Recall that on January 21, 2021, Akwa Ibom State government through the ministry of Environment & Solid Minerals announced the commencement of ‘operation zero tolerance on Street trading and illegal markets.
“This was the last in a series of announcements which came on the heels of a sustained public education and awareness campaign to mitigate the increasing menace of the activities of illegal markets and street traders on major roads and other highbrow areas in the Uyo Capital City.
“On Sunday, November 13, 2022, I led a demolition team from the ministry to the Ifa Ikot Akpan Market on the Airport Road.
“Some miscreants from Ifa Ikot Akpan led by a young man who claims to be the CLO to the construction company handling the Airport Road expansion project, assaulted me and members of the Ministry’s Enforcement Team but were repelled by law enforcement officers.
“However, four (4) members of the team from the Ministry of Environment and Solid Minerals were injured in the process. An attempt by the miscreants to mount a blockade on the Airport Road was decisively crushed by a combined team of law enforcement agencies. Some of the miscreants have since been arrested and those on the run will be apprehended in due course”
The Commissioner stressed that it was important to note that Ifa Ikot Akpan Market was only the first market to be so affected, adding that more illegal markets and structures have been earmarked for demolition.
He noted that there would be no further announcements and notices to the demolition exercise as government has continually engaged those involved about their infractions and the need to leave the said locations.
“Lastly, I wish to reiterate that the Ministry of Environment & Solid Minerals will continue irreversibly to enforce environmental regulations for the betterment of citizens and residents of Akwa Ibom State. Offenders, irrespective of political affiliations, will be prosecuted,” Udoh warned.
