By Festus Fifen

Worried by the increasing activities of criminals around the Gudu Electrical and Auto spare parts Market which is a short distance from the Apo Legislative quarters a highbrow Area of the Nigeria Federal Capital Territory, The Federal Capital Territory Administration  (FCTA ) on Friday issued a 72hrs eviction notice to illegal traders within the premises of the Gudu
Electrical and Auto spare parts market.

A combined team of FCT Ministerial Committee on City Sanitation led by The Chairman, Ikharo Attah and the Enforcement squad of Abuja Environmental Protection Board  (AEPB )stormed the market on Friday for  sensitization exercise where the ultimatum was handed over to the illegal traders.

Ikharo Attah while speaking to newsmen said the exercise had become necessary,  as the market of recent had been overtaken by illegalities that threaten public safety which necessitated issuing the Ultimatum while  warning them of imminent enforcement of a  court order to rid the market of all illegalities.

Attah noted that security and safety in the market cannot be compromised for anything,  and therefore,  the planned sanitation exercise.

In his words, ” What the traders own in this market is their shops and not the walk ways and parking lots. The traders have turned the car parks into warehouse.

” if they fail to comply with the 72 hours that have been given to them, FCTA will have no other choice than to force the court order, totally shut down the market and cleans it.

” We want to make the market safe for all, because what we see here is a disaster waiting to happen. In an event of fire outbreak it would be difficult for rescue vehicles to access the market” , Attah added.

Managing Director,  Abuja Market Management Limited , Arc. Ibrahim Uzaibat who is allegedly new in the market management, confirmed that traders had been alerted over several contraventions and illegal activities tarnishing the image of the market.

Uzaibat said all major markets in Abuja have approved blueprint that must not be compromised,  and that comprehensive  sanitation exercise  had commenced in some of the markets to restore sanity and shoppers confidence.

” Court order has been issued to the traders for them to abate these nuisances. This intervention exercise is billed to take place anytime soon. Before it happens however,  on behalf of the Federal Capital Territory Administration,  we wish to inform every trader, shop owners, market users and other stakeholders in Gudu market Abuja of the plan to sanitize the market of all illegal incursions,  trading activities in unauthorised places as well as all criminal elements “, Uzaibat noted.

Also speaking,  the Head of Enforcement Squad,  AEPB, Kaka Bello confirmed that the 72 hours ultimatum was given  to enable various unions in the market to correct all the wrongs.

He added that , ” We are here to enforce a court order on the cleaning of the market.  The market has been characterised by all forms of nuisances by traders who display their wares on walk ways  , car parks and other places.