FCTA reopens Dei-dei market

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, has announced the reopening of the Dei-Dei building materials market and the adjoining markets which were shut following the crisis that erupted at the market on the May 18, 2022.

The markets will reopen for business on Friday.

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Bello spoke on Thursday while addressing journalists after a meeting with major stakeholders of the Dei-Dei community, held at the FCDA Conference Hall, Garki, Abuja.

According to the minster, all stakeholders at the meeting agreed that the Dei-Dei market fracas was not an ethnic-inspired incident but a traffic accident that was hijacked by hoodlums.

He revealed that the market would, going forward, be re-organized and placed under relevant and proper supervision.

In the words of the Minister “This morning, we held a very important meeting with the stakeholders of the Dei Dei community, the leadership and the head of that community, His Royal Highness, Dr Idris Musa, MFR, the Sarkin Jiwa and all the leaders of the five major markets within that community, as well as religious leaders.

“Basically, we reaffirmed the need for peace in that community, as well as FCT in general, and discussed at length, all issues relating to last week’s incident that led to the destruction of properties and unfortunately, loss of lives.

“The conclusion of our meeting is that all the communities agreed that what happened was not a tribal or religious crisis. What happened was just an unfortunate accident that was overtaken by hoodlums in the community who created havoc. The general consensus now is that every community will make sure that miscreants and hoodlums are flushed out”.

Malam Bello also said that the meeting equally resolved that many of the structures in the market were erected in non-conformity with the Abuja Masterplan and corrective measures will be taken to correct these development anomalies.

Speaking on the activities of commercial motorcyclists known popularly as Okada, the Minister said that their operations   will be brought under full regulation and control.

Malam Bello also announced the constitution of a technical committee that would provide a comprehensive report and a roadmap for the re-development of the whole area for the benefit of the citizens.

The committee, which has four weeks to submit its report is chaired by TPL Ibrahim Ismaila, the Senior Special Assistant to the Minister on Land and Urban and Regional Planning and draws membership from the local and business community of the Dei-Dei area, the security agencies as well as officials of the FCT Administration.

The traditional ruler of the Dei-Dei area, HRH Dr. Idris Musa, the Sarkin Jiwa also sued for peace, saying they were all brothers and sisters and so should endeavour to live in peace at all times.

Chairman of the Dei-Dei International Building Materials Market, Mr. Kingsley Orabuego, stressed the need for harmonious relationship irrespectives of tribe or religion.