By Olawale Lamina, Features Editor
Amidst claims and counter-claims that the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), embarks on its demolition exercise without giving sufficient notice, transporters, traders and artisans around Utako Park have been counting their losses.
This follows the recent demolition by the FCDA in and around the area. For transporters, traders and artisans affected, it was a tale of woes as they lamented the loss of the makeshift structures, which they have been using as their place of work. A number of transporters, mechanics and petty traders affected told The Explainer that the exercise has left them reeling in penury and misery, especially with the current harsh economic situation in the country.
According to Mr. Fadipe Lawrence, the Organizing Secretary of the FCT Chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), the demolition and its effects were disheartening.
He expressed shock over the way and manner demolition took place inside the Utako Park without any notice from the authorities. He was however quick to task the FCDA and the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) on the need to consider the poor and vulnerable residents by ensuring they have a has a place in the development agenda of the FCT.
The Explainer observed that one of the glaring effect of the demolition is the change of strategy by traders who have now relocated to the roadside with their wares in hand. After taking position at the roadside, the traders hustle for buyers of their wares.
Notwithstanding that shacks and shanties in the park have been razed by the Capital City’s Development Control Unit, the park remains beehive of activities where buyers meet sellers for all kinds of trading activities, apart from playing host to transporters who load passengers to different parts of the country.
According to the NURTW Organising Secretary, the union has been operating from the spot right from when it was being referred to as Old AMAC Garage. He argued that the part, through its activities remitting revenues to both the FCDA and AMAC.
“I want to tell you frankly, there was no information before the demolition started. We have gone to Berekete Family (Human Rights Radio) to cry out over the situation. You can see all we have been facing here, this is rainy season. We organise programmes for our members here the government is aware of that.
“This is the place where we get our daily bread, from what you are seeing now, you can see that this place is not conducive for us.” About the rife fears of being relocated from the park since the commencement of demolition and construction of new market stalls, NURTW scribe stated that he was not aware of any such situation.
Fadipe also noted that the demolition has led to loss of revenue for the union, just as some drivers no longer use the park for loading. He advised the FCDA to ensure the masses still have opportunity even after finishing the development of the park.
Similarly, Chuwudi Mike, a motor spare part dealer informed The Explainer that, apart from the hint he got since 2019 about possible demolition of the park, no other notice was given.
He explained that one morning traders were woken to the surprise of a sudden demolition of structures. He explained that he lost about three million naira in the process, because before the exercise, he owned two stores, one of which he sublet. He lamented that since his two stores were demolished, he was compelled by the situation to joined two other co-dealers to rent and share a store at a complex recently constructed by the authorities.
The distraught spare parts trader revealed that the cost of the rent stands at N1.2million and since it was an emergency, he decided to join hands with others in order to continue in business.
He decried lack of toilet facility, electricity and water even at the new complex. He also called on the authorities to check activities of ‘babambola,’ waste pickers who have become a threat to their business in the new location.
Further checks by The Explainer revealed that so many traders have been displaced and have now resorted to roadside hustling by park. But in the midst of the controversies surrounding the sudden demolitions the popular market motor park, the FCDA, according to a recent media report says that it had since given notice to residents as far back as 2018.
For the FCDA, the demolition is to ensure compliance with the master plan of the FCT. But for the hordes of stranded traders, the action is a big blow to their informal economy and livelihoods.
