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Tag: Traders

  • Delta govt. pull down structures under high tension wires, evacuate traders along roadside

    Delta govt. pull down structures under high tension wires, evacuate traders along roadside

    Pursuance to the directives of the Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, the Ughelli north local government chairman, Hon. Godwin Adode has evacuated all traders and businessmen along over busy East/West road at Otovwodo-Ughelli junction.

    The council boss who was on ground to supervise the exercise told journalists that the need to evacuate all those trading along the road side and those built temporary structures under the high tension wire becomes imperative as it imposed dangers to lives of the people.

    “The state governor, His Excellency Sheriff Oborevwori was in Ughelli last week and he directed that all traders and businessmen trading along East/West road by Otovwodo junction to relocate immediately within week of grace or prepare to face the long arm of the law.

    ” Successive government of the state has advised the traders and market women trading along the walkways to leave but they are adamant to the state government instructions.

    “Today we are here to enforce the state government directives, we are pulling down all structures, caravans along the road for ease flow of movement”.

    While warning the traders and market women trading along the road and walkways in the council areas not to dare the authority of the state government, he said, task force will be ground to arrest any violator of the law and will be severely dealt with to sever as a deterrent to others.

    Also speaking to newsmen, the Delta State Commandant of Vigilantes Group of Nigeria (VGN), Mr. Monday Ohwesiri appealed to the market women and traders to bear with the state government in his pragmatic agenda to develop and bring dividend of democracy to all Deltans.

    Ohwesiri assured the state government of the readiness of VGN Delta State chapter to collaborate the state government developmental agenda and to make the state crime free.

  • Protest: Apo traders block FCT Minister’s gate

    Protest: Apo traders block FCT Minister’s gate

    Angry members of the Apo Traders Association (ATASS), on Tuesday blocked the main entrance gate of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Minister’s office.

    The demonstrators demand the immediate release of the land lease agreement for their proposed permanent site.

    Brandishing a variety of placards, the protesters expressed their frustration with the FCT Administration (FCTA), accusing them of withholding the agreement that was initially granted in 2015.

    According to the traders, despite fulfilling all requirements and spending over N100 million on various processes, the Minister has yet to sign and officially release the agreement.

     

    Chief Chimezie Ifeh, Chairman of the Association, highlighted the dangers faced by traders operating along the road corridors, which were designated as a temporary solution by the FCTA.

    Ifeh emphasised the urgent need for the Minister to sign and release the agreement before leaving office, as this delay would further exacerbate the hardships faced by the traders.

    Promising to persist in their efforts, Ifeh stated that the traders would continue engaging with relevant stakeholders and resort to further protests until the FCT administration fulfils its obligations.

    Secretary of the Association, Okhueleigbe Desmond, revealed the tragic consequences of the traders’ current situation, with several members losing their lives in accidents on the busy Apo road due to the lack of a suitable trading location.

    Desmond stressed that the traders were weary of conducting their businesses along the road corridors and expressed their strong desire to relocate to the designated permanent site.

     

  • Ekiti govt to arrest, prosecute traders rejecting old naira notes – Oyebanji

    Ekiti govt to arrest, prosecute traders rejecting old naira notes – Oyebanji

    Gov. Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti has said the government would arrest and prosecute traders and service providers who reject the old N500 and N1000 denominations.

    In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr. Yinka Olubode, and made available to newsmen on Saturday in Ado-Ekiti, Oyebanji appealed to traders and business owners in the state to stop creating hardship for residents.

    The governor explained that the old N500 and N1000 denominations remained legal tender by virtue of the ruling of the Supreme Court which extended its validity date till Dec., 31.

    Oyebanji said that his office had been inundated with the outcry of the people due to the hardship being faced as a result of the low circulation of the new redesigned Naira notes.

    He said the Supreme Court had by its March 3 ruling, extended the validity date for the old naira notes in a case instituted by some states, including Ekiti.

    Oyebanji said that the refusal of many business owners in the state to accept the old naira notes as means of the transaction was unlawful.

    “This is an appeal to all residents of Ekiti to abide by the ruling of the Supreme Court, which has provided a reprieve for the people by extending the validity date of the old naira notes till Dec., 31.

    “As honourable people, what is expected of us is to abide by the ruling of the apex court and continue to accept the old naira notes as means of transactions and not to inflict further hardship on one another by rejecting it.

    “Government will not hesitate to arrest and prosecute business owners found rejecting the old naira notes,” the statement quoted Oyebanji as saying.

    He, however, assured that his administration will continue to explore avenues to make life more meaningful for the people, as it continues to build a more prosperous state.

    The governor, therefore, appealed to the market women and men, artisans, transporters, filling stations, supermarket owners and school proprietors as well as service providers to remain law abiding and accept the old naira notes.

    He also urged the commercial banks and Central Bank of Nigeria,(CBN) to make the old and new currencies available in their branches and at their Automated Teller Machines (ATM) points in order to ease the stress residents go through to get money for their daily and commercial needs.

  • [Videos/photos]: Many wounded as traders clash with area boys in Alaba International market

    [Videos/photos]: Many wounded as traders clash with area boys in Alaba International market

    Traders have reportedly clashed with area boys at the Alaba International market in Lagos state this morning.

    Yet to be confirmed reports have it that traders are against the unnecessary demand of money by the area boys popularly called Agberos in the area.

    The spokesperson of the Lagos state police command, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, says the police are working to restore order in the area.

    Footage from the scene of the clash, shows many persons have been terribly wounded.

    See photos/videos below:

     

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    A post shared by Media/News Company (@thenewsgurung)

  • Apongbon Bridge: Sanwo-Olu issues 3-day ultimatum to traders to vacate

    Apongbon Bridge: Sanwo-Olu issues 3-day ultimatum to traders to vacate

    Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Sunday issued a three days ultimatum to traders under the Apogbon Bridge in Lagos Island to vacate or risk demolition of the space by Wednesday.

    Sanwo-Olu gave the warning while driving on the bridge, during the inspection of the blue line rail project.

    He saw that traders were back under the bridge with their goods displayed after they were driven away in the aftermath of the fire outbreak, under the Apongbon bridge about six weeks ago.

    The governor frowned at the unlawful return of the traders under Apongbon bridge, saying that the enforcement team would be deployed to the bridge after the three days ultimatum.

  • 100-year-old tree falls in Oyo market, kills four traders

    100-year-old tree falls in Oyo market, kills four traders

    Four people have been confirmed dead after the ancient Odan tree at the Sabo area of Oyo town fell and crushed people that were under it during a downpour.

    It was gathered that the sad incident occurred on Monday evening when the victims who were mostly traders at the Sabo Market took cover under the tree. The rain reportedly started at about 4pm.

    The tree which was said to be about 100 years old was said to have suddenly fallen and trapped the people under it. Some lucky people escaped with injuries.

    Vehicles reportedly parked under the tree were also said to have been damaged.

    The chairman of the market, Akeebu Alarape, said four different loggers invited to cut the tree did not succeed until a fifth logger was able to cut parts of it before rescue operation commenced.

    The Head of Operations of the Western Nigeria Security Network, aka Amotekun Corps, in the Atiba area, Akeem Ojo, said the tree fell on the victims around 6pm.

    “A female student of the Federal College of Education (Special), Oyo, a woman with a baby strapped to her back and a boy she was holding, were pulled out from under the tree.

    “One person was seriously injured and taken to a private hospital in the area, while motorcycle and mini bus parks under the tree were damaged,” Ojo added.

    A resident, who narrated the incident on an internet forum, Nairaland, claimed that nine people were killed.

    He wrote, “The rain started all of a sudden and some people that couldn’t catch up with the last bus went to sit under a huge tree where a meat seller sells his meat not knowing that will be their end. As it was raining, though not heavy, all of a sudden, a breeze started blowing, carrying house roofs [and] fuel station canopy away, and as if that wasn’t enough, the tree where some market women and their children were sitting fell all of a sudden and crushed about nine of them to death instantly.”

    The Chairman, Sooro Local Council Development Area, Oke-Isiwin, Seun Oguntona, said those trading under the tree would be relocated.

    The Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer, Adewale Osifeso, said four people were killed.

    He said policemen were immediately deployed to the scene to forestall breakdown of law and order.

  • Traders groan, protest over demolition of Agboju market

    Traders groan, protest over demolition of Agboju market

    Traders from the Agboju Plank and Building Materials Market, on Wednesday, remonstrated the demolition of their business abode at the Federal Housing Authority office in Festac Town.

    It was gathered that the Lagos State Government Task Force, on Sunday, destroyed the popular Agboju Market and other ‘illegal’ buildings in Festac Town.

    Speaking to the newsmen, the secretary of the plank sellers association, Afolabi Azeez, said the market has been in existence for 27 years and a majority of the businesses were being run on loans.

    “That place was swampy and we filled it with over 1,400 tippers of sand. Most of us rely on loans to run our business. We collect loans from banks and LAPO,” he said.

    He further stated that a notice was passed to the traders prior to the demolition and the traders responded to the notice, only for them to see their markets being demolished.

    “We are seeking assistance. We want to remain there. Whatever they want us to pay, we are going to pay. We have been paying it before.”

    Azeez added that traders in the market pay all their dues and taxes, and as such, should be allowed to remain in the market.

    “We have a right to that place. We seek help from the FHA so that they can help us retain that place,” he bemoaned.

     

     

     

  • IPOB: Get cutlasses; defend yourselves or forfeit your shops, Umahi tells Ebonyi traders

    IPOB: Get cutlasses; defend yourselves or forfeit your shops, Umahi tells Ebonyi traders

    Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi has warned that traders who comply with the Monday’s sit-at-home order should be ready to forfeit their shops.

    Umahi issued the warning in a state-wide broadcast on Saturday in Abakaliki to mark the sixth anniversary of his administration.
    He was reacting to the order by the proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) to the people of South-East zone.

    He directed that all markets in the state should open for business on Monday.

    The governor said: “There should be free movement of people in the state on Saturday, Sunday, Monday and other days of the year.
    “People should go to church on Sunday to pray for the nation’s fallen security agents, civilians and peace and unity of the state and country.

    “I challenge the youths, local government area chairmen, security agents, Ebebeagu security outfit, among others, to ensure that no one is molested in the state.

    “Anyone who has nothing to protect himself should do so with cutlass, which should be for protection and not for attack.”

    He said that all forms of procession had been banned in the state except those by youths organised by council chairmen.

    “I have been notified about such processions and they are being used to profile our people for empowerment.

    “I charge the Ebubeagu security outfit, which is backed by the state laws, to ensure that the people are protected,” Umahi said.

    He said the state could not go into “second slavery under any guise”, pointing out that “the secession the people need is massive economic development.

    “There will be movement in other parts of the country, if there is none in the South-East so people should therefore ignore such order.

    “Ebonyi people are grateful to President Muhammadu Buhari for all his assistance and if people do not see his goodness, he has been good to us,” he said.

    He urged parents and relevant stakeholders to advise youths to toe the path of peaceful co-existence and not depend on the illusionary influences of hard drugs and fetish powers.

    Ebonyi Police assure residents of safety

    In a related development, the Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, Mr Mohammed Aliyu, also advised residents to disregard the IPOB order.

    Aliyu gave the advice in a statement issued in Enugu by the command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Daniel Ndukwe, on Saturday.

    According to Ndukwe, the commissioner appeals to residents to discountence the order and go about their legitimate businesses without fear of intimidation.

    “We are reassuring everybody about the command’s commitment to collaborate with other security agencies to sustain adequate public security and safety in the state, in line with the mandate of “Operation Restore Peace.”

    “The command warns anybody or group harbouring any sinister intentions to disrupt the relative peace and security enjoyed in the state to desist forthwith, as such attempt will be resisted.

    “The command entreats parents, guardians as well as religious, traditional and town union leaders to caution their subjects against allowing themselves to be incited by mischief-makers to foment trouble,’’ Ndukwe stated.

    The statement further urged residents to “remain law-abiding and vigilant as they go about their legitimate businesses”.

    It appealed to the people to report criminal elements and persons found fomenting trouble to the nearest police station.
    It implored the people to alternatively call the following emergency command’s hotlines: 08032003702, 08075390883, 08086671202 or 08098880172.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that IPOB had issued a sit-at-home order in the southeast on May 31 to commemorate the death of many people during the civil war that ended about 51 years ago.

  • Ebonyi traders worry over price rise, low patronage

    Ebonyi traders worry over price rise, low patronage

    Traders in essential commodities in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi capital, are lamenting the soaring prices of food items which have affected patronage as Muslims prepare for Eid-el-Fitr festival.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that traders selling various foodstuffs such as rice, beans, goats, tomatoes, vegetable oil and palm oil are lamenting.

    A survey by NAN on Wednesday in Abakaliki at the popular Kpirikpiri and Margaret Umahi International markets showed that most traders were not happy over the development and slow business.

    Mrs Ijeoma Elom, a dealer in rice, said the rise in prices and low patronage were worrisome and attributed the situation to the harsh economic situation in the country, occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic, the EndSARs protests and the general insecurity in the land.

    On the price of local rice, Elom said a 50kg bag of the highest grade is being sold for between N24,000 and N25 000, as against N19,600 and N20,000 in February and March respectively depending on the grade.

    “We have different brands like Mass, 306, CP, among others. 50kg bag of 306 cost between N20,000 and N22,000 as against and N18,000 and N19,000 in March,” Elom said.

    Mrs Monica Igele, meat seller said beef and goat meat now cost N2, 400 per kilogramme, as against the N1,400 per kilogramme they were sold in February.

    “Our customers are not comfortable with the high cost and this is affecting patronage.

    “We bought a live goat for N25,000 in March but now it is now sold for N30, 000 and above,” Igele said.

    Mr Usman Jabbo, Chairman, Goat Dealers Association Ebonyi, stated that sellers were not responsible for the high cost of food items in the state.

    Jabbo blamed the development on the multiple taxes foodstuff dealers pay on the highways while transporting their goods.

    He said that expenses on the highway arising from the activities of revenue agents were outrageous.

    He also lamented the numerous police checkpoints on roads at which money is extorted from transporters.

    Jabbo said to transport a goat from Taraba to Ebonyi state would cost N3,000 per goat or more while cow will cost N20, 000 per head.

    “A goat sells for between N27,000 and N35,000 depending on the size,’’ he said.

    He appealed to the Federal Government to call the numerous revenue collectors to order because the taxes they collect have compounded the plight of traders and the public.

    Mrs Christiana Nwali, who deals in tomatoes, pepper and onions, decried the rise in the cost of the produce and attributed it to the harsh economy.

    Nwali urged the Federal and State governments to implement a policy that would tackle the rise in the prices of food commodities.

    She said that a big basket of tomatoes was sold for between N19,800 and N22, 000, against N15,000 and N18, 000 in February.

    Mr Celestine Nwabuike, who sells babies wear, said that business has been difficult as she is experiencing low patronage and an increase in the prices of the items.

    “It is a very difficult situation now,” she stated.

    Nwabuike appealed to the three tiers of government to intervene in the astronomical increases in the prices of all household items.

    A cross section of other traders said sales had been very unimpressive, while others decried their inability to stock enough goods in their shops because of poor capital and insecurity.

  • Graphic Photos/Videos: Three siblings, pregnant woman, eight others die as truck rams into students, traders near entrance of Ondo university

    Graphic Photos/Videos: Three siblings, pregnant woman, eight others die as truck rams into students, traders near entrance of Ondo university

    Twelve persons have been confirmed dead while search continues for others in an accident that occurred near the entrance gate of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko in Akoko South West Local Government Area of Ondo State on Saturday evening.

    https://twitter.com/_t4tomiwa/status/1353058525522530310?s=20

    The accident was said to have occurred when a truck coming from Obajana in Kogi State lost control and rammed into some shops and crushed both students and traders.

    Witnesses said 12 dead bodies including three siblings, pregnant woman have been taken to the mortuary while others were still in the rubble and heap of cement.

    It was gathered that many of the victims were in the shops transacting business.

    According to the witness, “The truck caused the accident due to break failure. The driver lost control and the truck rammed into the shops.

    “The incident caused traffic gridlock at the busy road as many of the vehicles were held for hours in the town.”

    https://twitter.com/heybliss_tweet/status/1353068591747219456?s=20

    Ondo Police spokesman, ASP Tee-Leo Ikoro, confirmed the incident but said eight bodies have been recovered from the scene of incident.

    Ikoro said efforts were on to search recover other trapped victims who had been stuck inside some of the shops.

    Meanwhile, TheNewsGuru.com, TNG gathered that a gas explosion had occurred about 30 minutes before the fatal accident.

    https://twitter.com/heybliss_tweet/status/1353070565104340994?s=20

    Students and other residents have flooded the social media with gory pictures of casualties in the explosion and truck accident.