Crack down on ‘panteka’ extended to FCT markets

Hundreds of trader’s dealing in scrap and other iron businesses in Abuja were shut out of markets as the FCT minister’s ban on panteka in the territory took effect on Wednesday.

Our reporter who visited their main market, located in Dei-Dei area, in Abuja, saw the traders, as well as artisans, stranded at the entrance of the facility.

Meanwhile, the ban has been extended to other panteka markets located across some communities in the territory on Wednesday.

Finding by our reporter yesterday showed that the leaders of the affected markets were contacted late evening on Tuesday by their association, directing them to also comply, while the process of how to resolve the issue continues.

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The chairman of the traders at Dei-Dei market, Muhammad Sani Abdullahi, disclosed that a circular was earlier sent to them on Monday by the Abuja Market Management Limited, informing them about the directive.

He said the notice demanded them to comply with the direction, which would last for two weeks. “We are law-abiding citizens, as such we have complied with the direction even though it is so painful,” he added.

The market chairman lamented that the ban would affect both artisans and traders who, he said, are engaged in fabricating various items that include streetlight poles, iron cutters, and smelters, and selling the items respectively.

The vice chairman of the market, Ejike Franklin Okoro, said they also deal in selling new and scrap items that they sourced from construction companies, among others.

Okoro urged the FCT minister, Nyesom Wike, to reconsider the directive, lamenting that most of them have just returned from their home states after the annual break.

Another trader in the market, Ben Anslem, said a number of them would not be able to register their children for the new school term, as well as afford to attend to other daily needs, as a result of the ban.

Abuja Metro reports that the FCT minister’s directive, which was announced following a security meeting on Monday, was coming after the discovery of some stolen items from Abuja highway infrastructures.

He ordered a ban on scavenger’s activities, as well as strict measures on panteka dealers, who were accused of patronizing the stolen and vandalised items.