By Sarah NEGEDU
Exactly one week after the violence that erupted at the Dei-Dei International Building Material Market, the FCT Administration today, announced the reopening of the market following consultations.
Recall that the FCTA had Wednesday last week announced the indefinite closure of the market following the clash that broke out at the market where four persons reportedly lost their lives.
However, briefing journalists after a closed door meeting with major stakeholders of Dei-Dei community today, the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, announced that the market will re-open for business on Friday, 27th May 2022.
He revealed that the market will going forward, be re-organized and placed under relevant and proper supervision.
In his words, “The conclusion of our meeting is that all the communities agreed that what happened was not a tribal or religious crisis. What happened was just an unfortunate accident that was overtaken by hoodlums in the community who created havoc. The general consensus now is that every community will make sure that miscreants and hoodlums are flushed out”.
Bello added that the meeting equally resolved that many of the structures in the market were erected in violation with the Abuja Masterplan and measures will be taken to correct these anomalies.
Speaking on the activities of commercial motorcyclists, the minister said that their operations will be brought under full regulation and control.
“Generally, the entire stakeholders agreed that peace is very important. Without peace, there will not be economic development and without peace, there will be no society. It was clearly reiterated that the FCT Administration will ensure that all rules and regulations are adhered to” the Minister added
The minister also announced the constitution of a technical committee that would provide a comprehensive report and a roadmap for the re-development of the whole area for the benefit of the citizens.
The committee, which has four weeks to submit its report is chaired by TPL Ibrahim Ismaila, the Senior Special Assistant to the Minister on Land and Urban and Regional Planning and draws membership from the local and business community of the Dei-Dei area, the security agencies as well as officials of the FCT Administration.
The traditional ruler of the Dei-Dei area, HRH Dr. Idris Musa the Sarkin Jiwa also sued for peace, saying they were all brothers and sisters and so should endeavour to live in peace at all times.
He said “We should be our brothers’ keepers and we should endeavour to live in peace with one another. We should instruct our followers to keep away from the past ugly incident to see that peace reigns in that area”, he admonished.
On his part, the chairman of the Dei-Dei International Building Materials Market, Mr. Kingsley Orabuego, urged traders and residents to live in peace as no meaningful development can be achieved without peace.
“We are here to make ends meet and we cannot live without each other. We cannot progress without each other. So, I’m urging all the people of Dei-Dei Building Materials Market to live in peace and embrace each other.”
