Traders protest alleged takeover of shops by developer in FCT

Traders at the Zuba International Market in Gwagwalada Area Council of the FCT on Tuesday protested over the council’s takeover of the facility. The traders told newsmen that about 300 shops were marked for demolition over lease issues.

Kelvin Henry, the deputy chairman of the market’s union, said the development was coming after shop owners were made to pay for verification and revalidation, as well as ground rent, to the council through a developer.

He said, “This market was built by the FCT Administration during the former military President Ibrahim Babangida’s regime and was handed over to the Gwagwalada council for management.

“However, traders were surprised to see the developer who the council engaged in 2022 mark about 300 shops without any form of compensation to the allottees. The council resolved the issue and went ahead to suspend him, but all of a sudden, he was reengaged and started a renovation without telling us his plan. As such, we are calling on the relevant authorities to intervene in the situation,” he explained.

• Kwara gov, Gambari, NILDS mourn Saraki matriarch
• Insecurity: Reps pledge support to boost military’s capacity

Another trader, Ezikiel Orji, said the developer was yet to carry them along by telling them his plan, only to rush to the site during the public holiday and start working.

Reacting, the Chief Executive Officer of Lion Property Consult Enterprises Ltd, the accused developer, Agwu Samuel, said there was no where he violated his mandate that included renovation, upgrading and management of the market for some years, while denying allegation of demolishing some shops.