The Rivers State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress has reacted to the demolition of the Ikokwu spare parts market in Port Harcourt.
The party in a statement through its Spokesperson, Ogbonna Nwuke expressed serious concern over the fate of traders of the market.
He said it is disheartening that appropriate steps were not taken to relocate the traders before their shops were destroyed.
The statement reads:
“Our sympathy is with all traders whose shops have been destroyed at the instance of an investor whose background is unknown.
“We know that you are in great pain at this time. Some of you probably have nowhere to safeguard your wares. Your shops meant everything to you.
“We ought to operate a system that is kinder and humane; a system which understands that traders like other individuals make contributions to the growth of the society. Unfortunately, this has not been the case.”
While sympathizing with the traders, the APC said, “We had hoped that the Governor of Rivers would have intervened to ensure that the traders were properly relocated before their shops were demolished.
“This is what happens when power is misused or abused; when the weak in our midst could be treated like wet dolls; when consideration for the feelings of other people do not matter.
“In our view, these traders would have been given a little more time to move to alternative places. We are aware that Government has offered a spot at Iriebe to the traders. How ready is the place in terms of security and the provision of other infrastructure required to receive the embattled traders?
“We have a lot of regard for all those who are struggling to earn a living. They contribute to our GDP as a nation and take care of the family unit which is the bedrock of any country.
“This is why the APC led Federal Government has invested efforts in supporting SMEs and small time traders through schemes that offer financial opportunities in order to ensure that they survive in these hard times.
“Our people must speak out when the time comes. It is our right to do so. We must use our votes at the appropriate time to ensure that our voices are heard loud and clear.
“We have no words to spare on the Wike administration at this time. Our eyes are firmly focused on the pain that these displaced traders are going through. We stand with them and share in their grief .”
