Favour WinnerMixed reactions have trailed the promise by Abia state Governor, Dr Alex Otti to get accommodation for rNorthern Cattle settlers at the popular Lokpanta market in Umunneochi Local Government Area of the state.
Governor Otti, who paid an unscheduled visit to the market on Sunday to inspect the ongoing perimeter fencing project, reiterated that the market will be non-residential place and that his administration was all out to protect and support legitimate businesses and individuals irrespective of where they come from.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelHe added that his government would no longer allow anyone to leave inside the market, as part of measures to fight criminal activities in the market.
Prime Business Africa recalls that Governor Otti had in October last year governor said there was a need to fence the market and make it non-residential following a security report that 50 decomposing corpses and 20 skeletons were discovered in a bush near the market.
According to him, the security report indicated that kidnappers had turned the market into a haven to perpetrate their crimes.
During the Sunday visit, the Abia governor explained that the move was to ensure that criminal activities do not continue to thrive in the market area and assured that cattle dealers others with genuine business would be supported and protected.
“The next thing I want to talk about is the issue of residence here. I’m sure that you are aware that the residents will leave here so that this place will be a market. So, the government is making plans to locate where you will live.
“Everyone who is doing a legitimate business, the government will protect you. What we don’t want are criminals,’ Otti stated.
He expressed his worry over the dirty condition of the market and admonished the traders on the need for clean up.
READ ALSO: 2023: Alex Otti Pledges Inclusive Empowerment For Abia People
Otti’s comment on helping to resettle cattle dealers have, however, generated mixed reactions from Nigerians on social media. While some commended the governor for promising to support them get a place to stay, others criticised it saying if he must do so, he should also extend similar gesture to other traders in the market not only northern cattle dealers.
An X user @Nnekabusybody said: “Why should government support them to settle elsewhere? Where in Nigeria are Igbo business people given settlement assistance? They should rent a place like other normal human beings do.
Another user @UcheObadike reacted by saying: ” They should rent their own apartments. They make millions from selling their cows. How can government assist them in getting a residence? If you do that for them, you should also do that for others that need accomodation. These people are not special breed”.
Yet another user @MCDOFF said: “Why must you assist them in finding a place to live? In the North, Igbos pay for their rents and also build. The northern government does not help them in any way.”
Another user @Nastearr reacted by saying: “I saw Otti talking to them, and was enraged that he was even gentle at it. I would have elected he went in their and bulldozed the market. Why should we always treat the excesses of these people as though they’re some special things.”
On the contrary, a user @grandkingz007 said, “sometimes in the interest of peace & one’s greater personal advancement you overlook certain things while setting a baseline benchmark. This is not worth wasting time fighting over. Always Getting cuddled only helps atrophy resourcefulness. In grand scheme of things Nothing is lost”.
@madonnite in a reply to a comment made by a certain user @Nnekabusybody said, “State government needs to support them because they’re citizens and pay their fair share of tax in Abia State. Without their tax, Abia would be non functional.”
Another user @NitrogenCousin supported by saying, “They may find it difficult to get house agents so the government is supporting them by providing free agents.” Another X user @obinique also supported by saying, “There is nothing wrong in the state government supporting them to integrate into the society. Comments like this only come from southerners that never lived in the North to also witness that the north also supports our own people when they make policies that force them to move.”
Follow Us