By Dipo Olowookere
There was pandemonium and tears as the Rivers State government led by Mr Nyesom Wike demolished the Rumuwoji temporary market in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Addressing journalists on Monday, President-General, Rivers State Traders Union, Mr Eddy Bright, said goods worth millions of Naira were lost to the exercise.
Mr Bright said the demolition came as a shock to the traders, claiming they were unable to remove their wares because the demolition came unannounced.
“No trader removed a pin; no trader knew that demolition will take place, so, goods worth several millions of naira were destroyed,” he told newsmen.
The state government had on Friday demolished the structure being temporarily occupied by the traders.
Some traders were allocated spaces at the temporary market because there were not enough stalls at the completed phase of the Mile One Market in Port Harcourt.
Mr Bright appealed to the government to set up a joint committee to ascertain the losses incurred by the traders and urged traders to remain calm and await the outcome of the union’s meeting with the state government.
“We are sure of meeting with the government; we are also sure of arriving at a favourable decision,” he said.
NAN
Adedapo Adesanya