Again, traders on spare parts at popular Ikoku automobile spare parts market have jointly put up resistance against planned demolition of their stores as they claim that the ultimatum given to them is yet to expire, with others pleading for more time to enable them brave the odds after the demolition exercise.
Under an atmosphere which could easily be described as charged, the traders turned out in their hundreds with some of them threatening to stone officials who were on hand to effect the demolition exercise.
Speaking on the latest development at Ikoku spare parts market, a man who claimed to have been affected by the exercise, Chukwudi Osi decried attempts at intimidating the traders with the involvement of police and army officers.
According to Chukwudi, life had been difficult for him and his family, especially as his means of livelihood was about to be negatively impacted. He said that since the begging of the challenge occasioned by attempt by landlords to demolish a section of the popular automobile and spare parts market, the situation had left affected traders confused stating that in the face of intimidations, they have continued to approach the matters with civility and diplomacy although to no avail.
Another aggrieved spare parts dealer, Chamberlain Chiagorom appealed to the landlords to consider the present economic conditions of he people. He said that the traders should be given adequate time to relocate their shops and workshops.
In a reaction, a spare parts dealer who gave her name as Ejima called on the Rivers State government to prevail on the landlords from continuing with the demolishing exercise.
Ejim stated that: “If that section of Ikoku is taken away from us, I am sure that it won’t be long before landlords from another section will rise and ask our brothers to quit trading in their stores. She cautioned against attempt at creating economic barriers for the people as she noted that each of the persons affected have boys and dependants under them.
