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| Trader in the market |
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| Prawn Seller |
Buy your Crayfish, buy sugar o, Ponmo dey here; Aboki comot for road! Dei-Dei, Jabi-Garage-enter with your change; Officer! I just dey enter market nah....Hey! Watch your back.....These are usual happenings that greet traders in the popular Karmo market. The trend continues even in the midst of uncertainty.
Like normal markets in the rural areas ‘Karmo’, as it is
predominantly called, depicts little or no difference. It is one of the largest
markets in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) but far away from development.
It is located almost at the centre of the town and a few kilometres away from the Central Business District (CBD). Not only do residents troop-in every Tuesday either to buy or sell their goods, Traders also visit the market from neighbouring towns and states, especially Zuba, Niger State to trade their wares amidst fear of the unknown.
While Karimo still grapples with good road infrastructures, safety remains a thing of concern for residents and traders. Traders either panic over fear of the unknown or incessant demolition; a trend common with the FCT Department of Demolition Control.
Apparently, Karimo traders are mostly faced with the challenge of renting standard shops, this is even as they complain on the losses incurred on goods worth millions due to the absence of proper structures. The traders also wondered why The Abuja Metropolitan Area Council (AMAC) annually demand N5, 000 fee and N200 extra charge on every market days and yet refused to develop the market.
What has become a daily nightmare for motorists and a major concern for traders in the market is the unavailability of parking spaces for vehicles. As a result, motorists abruptly stop by the roadside to pick, alight passengers or offload goods. This of course would be at the detriment of other motorists as it most times results into traffic disorder.
This is also coupled with the fact that traders also conduct business transactions by the road side. They prefer to push their sales closely to the single lane road which links it through from the popular Berger Roundabout to Die-Die/Kubwa expressway. This according to a commuter is to attract customers.
Delving into the security situation of this popular market, Traders often times lament the unofficial mode of operation security officials.
While taking an investigative walk round some parts of the market, Abuja review gathered that security officials deployed to some areas in the market allegedly extorts money from commercial drivers, an act far from their official duty which is to ensure protection of lives of properties.
Amidst these unpleasant situations, the popular Karmo market appears to be the favourite choice among other local markets in the territory. Reason could not be far-fetched from its proximity to town and affordable cost of staple food commodities.
It is a place of choice for average residents who cannot afford to visit the popular Exclusive Stores and malls.
More so, in an era where developed societies equip market places with basic infrastructures such as standard power, effective water supply, security, horticultural designs, little or none of these are found in ‘karmo’ and other market premises across the territory.
However, as good as it may appear, a visit to the market revealed urgent need of adequate security for the people especially on every market days.
Meanwhile, report from Chairman of the market association, Mr. Michael Ifemenam showed that about 10, 000 traders visit the market weekly. Obviously, the conditions in the market indicated the vulnerability of traders to dangers, in the face of the security challenges in the country.
Abuja Review during the visit noted the presence of a handful of security operatives mainly at the entry and exit of the market while few security officials were seen patrolling the main access road, with the sole aim of easing traffic congestions on the road.
However, some of the traders who spoke to Abuja Review clamoured for more security.
“Issues of insecurity in Abuja are little compared to what may happen if there is any bomb blast here; the death toll will be outrageous. That’s why we need serious security here. It’s very important,” A dealer in sales of DVD, audio and tapes who simply gave his name as Ayotunde told our correspondent.
Another trader who gave his name as Austin Seal and deals in phone accessories hinted Abuja Review on how he had been operating at the market for over three years adding that the
issue of insecurity was never a concern until the recent bombings in the FCT.
It is located almost at the centre of the town and a few kilometres away from the Central Business District (CBD). Not only do residents troop-in every Tuesday either to buy or sell their goods, Traders also visit the market from neighbouring towns and states, especially Zuba, Niger State to trade their wares amidst fear of the unknown.
While Karimo still grapples with good road infrastructures, safety remains a thing of concern for residents and traders. Traders either panic over fear of the unknown or incessant demolition; a trend common with the FCT Department of Demolition Control.
Apparently, Karimo traders are mostly faced with the challenge of renting standard shops, this is even as they complain on the losses incurred on goods worth millions due to the absence of proper structures. The traders also wondered why The Abuja Metropolitan Area Council (AMAC) annually demand N5, 000 fee and N200 extra charge on every market days and yet refused to develop the market.
What has become a daily nightmare for motorists and a major concern for traders in the market is the unavailability of parking spaces for vehicles. As a result, motorists abruptly stop by the roadside to pick, alight passengers or offload goods. This of course would be at the detriment of other motorists as it most times results into traffic disorder.
This is also coupled with the fact that traders also conduct business transactions by the road side. They prefer to push their sales closely to the single lane road which links it through from the popular Berger Roundabout to Die-Die/Kubwa expressway. This according to a commuter is to attract customers.
Delving into the security situation of this popular market, Traders often times lament the unofficial mode of operation security officials.
While taking an investigative walk round some parts of the market, Abuja review gathered that security officials deployed to some areas in the market allegedly extorts money from commercial drivers, an act far from their official duty which is to ensure protection of lives of properties.
Amidst these unpleasant situations, the popular Karmo market appears to be the favourite choice among other local markets in the territory. Reason could not be far-fetched from its proximity to town and affordable cost of staple food commodities.
It is a place of choice for average residents who cannot afford to visit the popular Exclusive Stores and malls.
More so, in an era where developed societies equip market places with basic infrastructures such as standard power, effective water supply, security, horticultural designs, little or none of these are found in ‘karmo’ and other market premises across the territory.
However, as good as it may appear, a visit to the market revealed urgent need of adequate security for the people especially on every market days.
Meanwhile, report from Chairman of the market association, Mr. Michael Ifemenam showed that about 10, 000 traders visit the market weekly. Obviously, the conditions in the market indicated the vulnerability of traders to dangers, in the face of the security challenges in the country.
Abuja Review during the visit noted the presence of a handful of security operatives mainly at the entry and exit of the market while few security officials were seen patrolling the main access road, with the sole aim of easing traffic congestions on the road.
However, some of the traders who spoke to Abuja Review clamoured for more security.
“Issues of insecurity in Abuja are little compared to what may happen if there is any bomb blast here; the death toll will be outrageous. That’s why we need serious security here. It’s very important,” A dealer in sales of DVD, audio and tapes who simply gave his name as Ayotunde told our correspondent.
Another trader who gave his name as Austin Seal and deals in phone accessories hinted Abuja Review on how he had been operating at the market for over three years adding that the
issue of insecurity was never a concern until the recent bombings in the FCT.
He submitted the need for more to be done on the parts
of security officials saying; “I don’t think government have any security
concern for us here but the market association provides security at every
market day. Though, we have a nearby police station. The officers also go
around checking anything suspicious.”
On his part, John Paul, a student who trades in ‘London Used’ phones at the market, accused security officials over unlawful extortion from drivers who stop-by to pick passengers.
He maintained that security of lives and properties in the market was of little or no interest to them adding that theirs is the case of "live and let's live".
In his words; “Most of the security officers are just dealing with cars, what about people inside the market? They need to ensure that there is no one carrying something that can harm
another person, what about people that will just check in and act like ordinary person but has bad intentions?.
" Those ones are after cars and once they arrest a car carrying maybe two or three people, they will just collect their own money and free the person.”
To reaffirm his claim, Paul cited an instance where a car suddenly broke down at the middle of the road, and was emanating smoke. Suddenly, people ran for their dear life before realizing it was a
minor car fault.
He said “Looking at what is happening around in town in and out of Abuja. You can see that a lot of things are taking place and in this Karimo especially, you can see a market as big as this we don't
even have a good road talk-less of security.
" There was example of what happened here a car just stopped at the middle of the road and there was a little smoke coming out of the engine before you know it, there was stampede, people running helter-skelter. People really ran that day until they found out that it wasn't really bomb before we ran back to check our goods.”
Ironically, a number of traders maintained that government would only give their assurance to bring perpetrators to book in cases of eventualities. They however called for a clear need for the authorities to be proactive and visit the situation.
Mrs. Sarah Eniola who also shared similar view by demanding for adequate security said; “The market is not that dangerous if there is security. They are not enough. So government should increase the number of securities. It has been God’s protection.
"Even now as we are, we are not safe but we hope God will be by our side. Even the next market day after the Nyanyan bomb blast, we cannot come to the market.”
Quest for Hygiene
While the issue of insecurity remained a huge concern, traders at the popular market clearly showed their reactions to the unhygienic condition of the market premises.
Some who confided in Abuja Review, expressed worry over the persistent collection of taxes and issuing of tickets by AMAC, as the market remained undeveloped.
The officials are accused of coming with some documents claiming to be sent by the government to collect tax on its behalf. It was gathered that any trader who fails to adhere to the demands will have his goods seized and taken away without trace or retrieval point.
Traders maintained that amidst collection of these taxes, no visible development has occurred in the market. The unhygienic situation of the market has seemingly taken its toll on sellers of edible food commodities. This is as they lament shortage in patronage due to the market condition.
According to a source, “Sometimes they even come with police. I don't know if that police of a thing is legal or illegal, they will be moving around with police, if you don't pay they will use police and carry your goods and go away like that without minding where to come and collect it. It is not good like that.
“It is not a healthy place for people to come and do business, it is not a healthy for people to come and sell eatable things so at least they need to improve. This is a part of Abuja, they need to improve on this.”
Emeka Ukewize, who trades in footwear also complained bitterly on how the environment has affected sales saying; “Imagine what you are seeing around. We are in the market, see how everywhere is dirty. The road is bad and everywhere is littered. No hygiene, nothing.
"Despite we are selling food items, the environment is so dirty. Some people will not want to patronise us because of the environment. So we need permanent shops so that we can do our trading daily.
“We pay AMAC N50 and some N200. So upon the money we are contributing, the entire market is dirty and unhealthy.
“Sometimes, government will just come with bulldozer and demolish shops for nothing. It’s not as if they are ready to erect any structure. They will just demolish the entire place and it will become empty. Do you know we also pay them money? So I don’t understand the kind of government we have,”
Market structure
The demand for appropriate market structure gained much popularity among the traders. It was a thing they considered most important even outside their safety. Perhaps, because of losses recorded in time past, demolition of their kiosks and the resultant effects of downpours during rainy season.
During the rainy season Abuja Review gathered traders while some make use of different sizes of umbrella others tie three large umbrellas together in order to have the right shade.
They urged the government to provide standardised shops if at all, they trade at the wrong place.
“If government can provide a place for us to sell our goods, it will be most appropriate. If they cannot, they should provide us with land. So, anyone that has money to build shop can do so,” Ayotunde said.
Mrs. Eniola said, “Concerning the market, we need shops where traders can rent. Especially in this raining season, the rain has destroyed our goods. So government should come to our plight.”
Chukwuebuka Onyebuchi sells dried prawn at the market. He said, “One thing we will like government to do for us is to build standard shops for us. When there is rain, people can still do their trading. As you can see, the rain disturbs our trading.
“We built small shops before but they always disturb us with demolition. Most times, they come three times in a year, which is very bad. If they cannot build a permanent place for us, let them give us the chance to erect a temporary structure,” Onyebuchi added.
Chairman of the market traders association, Ifemenam described demolition as the major threat and proper market structure as basic need saying;“Demolition is our major challenge here. It is not up to three months they came to scatter these places with goods. They came with soldiers, police and other security agents to finish us here.
"They always come every three months. There are no roads or no shops. So if we decide to build, they will come and destroy it. We have loosed millions of Naira in this very place which is very
bad. About three months ago, it was the DPO who helped us chase the demolition officers away. She told the officers to provide an alternative place for us instead of demolishing our properties.
“Government is not doing anything here. They don’t even know people are here, except when it is time to pay N5, 000 annually. Aside from that, every trader during market days pays N50 to the government.”
Mr. Ossai Sunday, palm oil seller lauded the administration but urged the FCTA to improve to provide needed infrastructures in the market.
He stressed need for the government to provide good roads across the market and put in place health facilities in case of emergencies.
“We need them to give us a main place to stay instead of trading along the road. In fact for security purpose, they need to provide a secured location for us. People are entering the market from every corner and we don’t know who is who.”
“Some people collect N50 from us at every market days. At times, they demand for N200 in the guise of keeping it to build a market place for us. But up until now, we have not seen anything. Even today they will still come. They have the right to collect such money but it should be used for the right purpose.”
Meanwhile, efforts to speak with security officials at the nearby police station proved abortive as they told Abuja Review the person in charge was not available. However, a police source disclosed that the force was aware of the present security situation.
“We are aware of the security challenge. As you can see, our officers are all over the place controlling traffic and ensuring safety of the traders”.
On his part, John Paul, a student who trades in ‘London Used’ phones at the market, accused security officials over unlawful extortion from drivers who stop-by to pick passengers.
He maintained that security of lives and properties in the market was of little or no interest to them adding that theirs is the case of "live and let's live".
In his words; “Most of the security officers are just dealing with cars, what about people inside the market? They need to ensure that there is no one carrying something that can harm
another person, what about people that will just check in and act like ordinary person but has bad intentions?.
" Those ones are after cars and once they arrest a car carrying maybe two or three people, they will just collect their own money and free the person.”
To reaffirm his claim, Paul cited an instance where a car suddenly broke down at the middle of the road, and was emanating smoke. Suddenly, people ran for their dear life before realizing it was a
minor car fault.
He said “Looking at what is happening around in town in and out of Abuja. You can see that a lot of things are taking place and in this Karimo especially, you can see a market as big as this we don't
even have a good road talk-less of security.
" There was example of what happened here a car just stopped at the middle of the road and there was a little smoke coming out of the engine before you know it, there was stampede, people running helter-skelter. People really ran that day until they found out that it wasn't really bomb before we ran back to check our goods.”
Ironically, a number of traders maintained that government would only give their assurance to bring perpetrators to book in cases of eventualities. They however called for a clear need for the authorities to be proactive and visit the situation.
Mrs. Sarah Eniola who also shared similar view by demanding for adequate security said; “The market is not that dangerous if there is security. They are not enough. So government should increase the number of securities. It has been God’s protection.
"Even now as we are, we are not safe but we hope God will be by our side. Even the next market day after the Nyanyan bomb blast, we cannot come to the market.”
Quest for Hygiene
While the issue of insecurity remained a huge concern, traders at the popular market clearly showed their reactions to the unhygienic condition of the market premises.
Some who confided in Abuja Review, expressed worry over the persistent collection of taxes and issuing of tickets by AMAC, as the market remained undeveloped.
The officials are accused of coming with some documents claiming to be sent by the government to collect tax on its behalf. It was gathered that any trader who fails to adhere to the demands will have his goods seized and taken away without trace or retrieval point.
Traders maintained that amidst collection of these taxes, no visible development has occurred in the market. The unhygienic situation of the market has seemingly taken its toll on sellers of edible food commodities. This is as they lament shortage in patronage due to the market condition.
According to a source, “Sometimes they even come with police. I don't know if that police of a thing is legal or illegal, they will be moving around with police, if you don't pay they will use police and carry your goods and go away like that without minding where to come and collect it. It is not good like that.
“It is not a healthy place for people to come and do business, it is not a healthy for people to come and sell eatable things so at least they need to improve. This is a part of Abuja, they need to improve on this.”
Emeka Ukewize, who trades in footwear also complained bitterly on how the environment has affected sales saying; “Imagine what you are seeing around. We are in the market, see how everywhere is dirty. The road is bad and everywhere is littered. No hygiene, nothing.
"Despite we are selling food items, the environment is so dirty. Some people will not want to patronise us because of the environment. So we need permanent shops so that we can do our trading daily.
“We pay AMAC N50 and some N200. So upon the money we are contributing, the entire market is dirty and unhealthy.
“Sometimes, government will just come with bulldozer and demolish shops for nothing. It’s not as if they are ready to erect any structure. They will just demolish the entire place and it will become empty. Do you know we also pay them money? So I don’t understand the kind of government we have,”
Market structure
The demand for appropriate market structure gained much popularity among the traders. It was a thing they considered most important even outside their safety. Perhaps, because of losses recorded in time past, demolition of their kiosks and the resultant effects of downpours during rainy season.
During the rainy season Abuja Review gathered traders while some make use of different sizes of umbrella others tie three large umbrellas together in order to have the right shade.
They urged the government to provide standardised shops if at all, they trade at the wrong place.
“If government can provide a place for us to sell our goods, it will be most appropriate. If they cannot, they should provide us with land. So, anyone that has money to build shop can do so,” Ayotunde said.
Mrs. Eniola said, “Concerning the market, we need shops where traders can rent. Especially in this raining season, the rain has destroyed our goods. So government should come to our plight.”
Chukwuebuka Onyebuchi sells dried prawn at the market. He said, “One thing we will like government to do for us is to build standard shops for us. When there is rain, people can still do their trading. As you can see, the rain disturbs our trading.
“We built small shops before but they always disturb us with demolition. Most times, they come three times in a year, which is very bad. If they cannot build a permanent place for us, let them give us the chance to erect a temporary structure,” Onyebuchi added.
Chairman of the market traders association, Ifemenam described demolition as the major threat and proper market structure as basic need saying;“Demolition is our major challenge here. It is not up to three months they came to scatter these places with goods. They came with soldiers, police and other security agents to finish us here.
"They always come every three months. There are no roads or no shops. So if we decide to build, they will come and destroy it. We have loosed millions of Naira in this very place which is very
bad. About three months ago, it was the DPO who helped us chase the demolition officers away. She told the officers to provide an alternative place for us instead of demolishing our properties.
“Government is not doing anything here. They don’t even know people are here, except when it is time to pay N5, 000 annually. Aside from that, every trader during market days pays N50 to the government.”
Mr. Ossai Sunday, palm oil seller lauded the administration but urged the FCTA to improve to provide needed infrastructures in the market.
He stressed need for the government to provide good roads across the market and put in place health facilities in case of emergencies.
“We need them to give us a main place to stay instead of trading along the road. In fact for security purpose, they need to provide a secured location for us. People are entering the market from every corner and we don’t know who is who.”
“Some people collect N50 from us at every market days. At times, they demand for N200 in the guise of keeping it to build a market place for us. But up until now, we have not seen anything. Even today they will still come. They have the right to collect such money but it should be used for the right purpose.”
Meanwhile, efforts to speak with security officials at the nearby police station proved abortive as they told Abuja Review the person in charge was not available. However, a police source disclosed that the force was aware of the present security situation.
“We are aware of the security challenge. As you can see, our officers are all over the place controlling traffic and ensuring safety of the traders”.
AMAC clueless on
market ticketing
A visit to AMAC revealed that the secretariat was aware of
the extortions but clueless on those collecting the taxes. There were indications
that several groups who are not genuinely from AMAC had been extorting money
from the innocent traders. It was an entire blame-trade when AMAC accused Karmo
traditional ruler of alleged extortion. Incidentally, the allegation was thrown
back to AMAC.
Head of Information and Communications, Mrs. Patience
Olaloye referred Abuja Review to the council’s Head of Marketing in an effort
to further seek clarification on the situation. Efforts were also made to reach
the Director of Revenue of the council but the personnel was out of contact as
at the time of filing this report.
Several calls were put through to the AMAC Head of Marketing
simply identified as Madam Christy. Eventually, she explained that AMAC solely
demanded for N50 from the traders rather than N200 claimed, on every market
days. She also denied N5, 000 annual collection of tax from the traders who
amount to about 10, 000 according to the market leader.
Christy alleged Karmo traditional ruler and youths in the
area might be responsible for the exploitation.
“We know the Chief of Karmo and other youths in the area do
collect money from them but we in AMAC only give out N50 ticketing to all
traders.”
Asked about providing a permanent market structure, she said
AMAC had commenced talks with the FCTA and efforts are being made to build a
permanent market in the area. According to her, the council did not have a
temporal location for the traders but it was inappropriate for them to carry
out their trading activities in the area. She attributed ongoing plans of the
FCTA to make the road a dual carriage way soon.
“There is no temporary place for them now. FCTA has promised
to make available a permanent place for them so the process presently in the
pipeline.”
Unfortunately, Karmo Traditional Ruler, Alhaji Suleiman
Adoga told Abuja Review, through Suleiman Ishaka that AMAC was responsible for
the annual tax. He said AMAC sent some officials to every shop in the community
to demand for the N5000. The question is who is reaping off the traders?
From all indications, if the council failed to attend to
this situation, hope of traders getting reliefs from further exploitation may
just have been dashed. More so, it may take concerted efforts of higher
authorities to protect interest of these traders either in terms of security or
erecting proper market structure.
End
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