The Secretary of Kasuwan Barci Traders Association in Kaduna, Muhammadu Usman, has faulted the decision of the state government which directed them to vacate their stalls within three days, appealing for a review.
DAILY NIGERIAN reports that the state government had issued a three-day quit notice to the occupants of the market located in Tudun-Wada of Kaduna Central local government area of the state
The quit notice was served to all the occupants of the market on Friday.
In the notice, the Director-General of the Kaduna State Urban Planning and Development Authority, KASUPDA, Ismail Umar-Dikko, said the move became necessary in view of the Urban Renewal Projects embarked upon by Governor Sasir El-Rufai.
The notice read: “In view of the Urban Renewal Projects by the Kaduna State Government (Upgrading of Kasuwar Barchi market), you are hereby given three (3) days from the date of receipt of this notice to remove ALL your valuables and vacate the site.
“Failure to comply with the above directive will leave the Authority with no option than to demolish/remove your stall at your expense, according to Section 60 of the Kaduna State Urban and Regional Planning Law of 2018.”
Mr Usman, who made the call on Sunday in Kaduna while speaking with journalists on the quit notice, explained that the state government did not consult with them or provide any alternative before issuing the sudden quit notice.
He maintained that considering the strategic position of the market, the quit notice would adversely affect traders of the market.
The Secretary, therefore, appealed to the State Government to meaningfully engage with the traders with a view to resolving the matter amicably, stressing that they would continue to remain law abiding.
Also speaking, Chairman Arewa Peoples Unity Association, Adamu Aliyu appealed to the state government to consider the present economic realities.
Mr Aliyu noted that Kasuwan bacci hosts traders from neighbouring African countries, who engage in import and export activities.
He also called on the state government to allow the matter to be decided by the court.
Reactions
Writing on his Facebook page, a former newspaper editor, Ibrahim Sheme called for the relocation of the market outside the Tudun Wada area, saying that the present location should be designated a city park.
He wrote: “It is clear that with this eviction notice, ‘Mai Rusau’ is set to demolish Kasuwar Barci. Like an injection, it will hurt many at the moment, but it will be found to be in the interest of residents in the long run.
“My own view is that the market should be relocated to a larger space outside the Tudun Wada area. The present location should be designated as a city park in order to change the old narrative about Tudun Wada itself.”
However, another commentator, EL Haroun Musa, said the state government was being unfair for serving a three-day notice “to more than 30000 people without given them a place to relocate”.
He said: “My point of view about this, is that how will a government of the people Serve a notice of just 3days to more than a 30000 people, without giving them a place to relocate?? Is this fair to them?
“I don’t know what kind of thinking those that govern us do most of the time in the name of making a decision like they have no one to advise them.”
