Timber and building-material traders in Lugbe, Abuja, are appealing to the Federal Capital Territory Administration and the Abuja Municipal Area Council to provide access roads and basic infrastructure at their proposed relocation site. The traders, operating around the Federal Housing Authority Lugbe area, popularly known as the Fruit Market, say poor road access to the designated site is making it difficult to transport goods and attract customers. This is threatening the viability of their businesses.
The market, which has existed for over 15 years, comprises timber sellers, iron dealers, fruit sellers, tipper operators, and other businesses. Traders have faced several demolition exercises, including at least three since 2018, following an earlier relocation effort in 2016. The chairman of the CityGate Timber Dwellers Association, Mmodebelu Onyebuchi Victor, said the challenge of finding a permanent location has persisted long before he assumed office, leaving traders struggling to secure a stable environment for their businesses.
Traders were moved to an allocated site in Lugbe South-East following a demolition around 2018 but were eventually forced to return to their former location due to the lack of basic amenities and poor accessibility. Victor said traders were forced to return to their former location to earn a living, as the alternative site was not viable. He appealed to the authorities to assist the traders, describing their present location as organized and strategically positioned to attract customers.
Another trader, Prince Francis Emmanuel, said traders ought to have been consulted before being directed to relocate. He added that the poor condition of roads leading to the proposed site would increase transportation costs and discourage customers. Emmanuel noted that many traders and their customers live in Lugbe and neighboring communities, making the current market more convenient for business.
A trader identified as Joy decried the condition of the proposed relocation site, saying some traders had previously abandoned it due to the difficulty of accessing the area. She described the site as bushy and lacking a good access road, making it difficult for customers to locate businesses. Joy recalled losses suffered during previous demolition exercises and urged the government to either improve the access road to the proposed site or provide an alternative arrangement.
The general chairman of the Lugbe Building Materials Association, Chukwuemeka Ezeagba, also identified poor road access as a major challenge confronting the proposed market. The chairman of the AMAC Revenue Task Force, Emmanuel Inyang, responded to the concerns, saying any decision to relocate the traders would likely have been prompted by concerns over congestion, obstruction, or possible accidents.
Inyang clarified that the actual removal of traders from roads and other locations was the responsibility of environmental authorities, not the Area Council. He advised traders who had been allocated a site but were facing infrastructure challenges to formally approach the council to communicate their concerns. Inyang noted that the traders' current location was temporary and warned that remaining there could leave them vulnerable to removal at any time.
Key points
- Traders in Abuja's Lugbe area face challenges due to poor road access to proposed relocation site.
- The market has existed for over 15 years and comprises various businesses, including timber sellers and fruit sellers.
- Authorities respond, advising traders to formally approach the council with their concerns.
