Cattle Dealers Seek Approval to Live,  Do Business  in Lokpanta Market in Abia

Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia

Cattle dealers plying their trade at the popular Lokpanta cattle market have appealed to the Abia State government to allow them live and do their businesses inside the market.

The Chairman of the cattle market, Alhaji Saleh Algare, made the passionate appeal yesterday  in a chat with journalists at the market located in Umunneochi Local Government.

His appeal was informed by the decision of Abia government to make the cattle market non-residential following the infiltration of the market by criminals who hide in there to perpetrate their evils.

The Special Adviser to the Abia Governor on Security, Navy Commander MacDonald Uba (rtd) had told journalists that the cattle dealers had been told that the market “will no longer be a residential
market.”

“We will fence the market and everybody comes in the day to transact and leaves in the evening as done at Alaba International Market Lagos or Sabongari in Kano or Ariaria in Aba,” he said.

But Alhaji Algare said that government should consider allowing genuine traders to live inside the market and transact their genuine businesses.

He lauded government for its onslaught on criminals elements which resulted to the demolition of shanties and brothels in the market.

The market leader noted that the genuine traders doing their legitimate businesses would not harbour criminals.

He lauded Governor Alex Otti for the show of love and hospitality the northern community are enjoying in Abia, insisting that contrary to the reports in a section of the media, “nobody asked us (northerners) to leave the state.

He stated that the cattle dealers and other northerners doing legitimate businesses in the market, adding that they have been cohabiting with their host community who have continued to be friendly with them.

The leader of the Hausa community in the state, Sarkin Yaro Danladi promised that they “will not habour criminals in the market” and would be disposed to  more discussions with government for find a lasting solution.

Navy Commander Ubah  assured the traders that security of lives and properties would be guaranteed as had been stated in previous meetings with the leadership of the market.

He  debunked the mischievous information on social media, claiming that the government ordered traders in the market to leave Abia.