By Ashemiriogwa Emmanuel
Traders who do business around the popular Oginigba abattoir market located at Trans Amadi layout in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, have lamented the loss of their fortune as a result of the demolition of the market by the state government.
The immediate past chairman of the abattoir market, Mr Musa Baba Ahmed, on Thursday said the association was putting efforts to present its losses to the administration of Governor Nyesom Wike on the possibility of getting compensation.
He, however, noted that traders were informed in advance to vacate the market premises on August 2 and that they were assured that the state government would relocate them to Mgbosimiri market, where a new abattoir will be constructed.
It would be recalled that the leader of the Hausa community in Rivers State, Mr Musa Saidu, had alleged that the market had been a hiding place for criminals.
Consequently, the Rivers State Executive Council had on August 2, 2021, approved a total shut down of the market.
The meeting, which was presided over by Governor Wike, saw the declaration of an end to all trading activities at the slaughter market.
The Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr Fred Kpakol, has said that decision was in line with the Governor’s urban renewal program to display the aesthetic beauty of Port Harcourt and Rivers State.
Denying the allegation that the market was being used as a hideout for criminal activities, Mr Almed said that all the traders carry out legitimate businesses, pointing out that the past leaders of the market association are to be blamed for the circumstances that led to the demolition of the market.
The new slaughterhouse, which will replace that of Trans-Amadi, will be an automated facility, according to the state government.
Adedapo Adesanya 
Aduragbemi Omiyale 
Modupe Gbadeyanka