Exclusive: Succor for traders as AMAC takes over reconstruction of old Karu market, two months after fire incident

As the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) begins reconstructing the recently destroyed old Karu market, traders at the market have expressed joy and heaved a sigh of relief.

Persecondnews recalls that on June 27, a disastrous inferno engulfed the market, resulting in the destruction of around 50% of the shops, with financial losses estimated to be in the millions.

According to Mrs. Florence Wenegieme, Acting Director-General of the Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Department (FEMD), the delayed response to the fire was due to challenges in gaining access to the affected area.

Commenting on the market’s reconstruction, Mr. Muhammad Suraj, the media aide to the AMAC Area Council Chairman, noted that Chairman Christopher Zakka Maikalangu had assured the fire incident victims that assistance would come swiftly, and today he is fulfilling the promise.

Maikalangu, in an interview with a Persecondnews correspondent, promised to complete and prepare the first batch of 216 standard lock-up shops for occupancy within the next six weeks.

On the plans for effective rescue measures such as adequate access into the market against unforseen circumstances, he explained that the redesigned market plan includes a provision for an access road that will allow large tankers to enter the market.

Maikalangu allayed the traders’ worries about being displaced, affirming that a prior commitment has been made to safeguard their interests, guaranteeing that they will receive priority consideration when the newly constructed shops are assigned.

Engr. Ismail Mubarak, Project Manager of Zarms Global Service, the contractor handling the project, also told Persecondnews that both the marketers and the council believe the project will be exceptionally sturdy and of high quality.

Mubarak made a commitment to complete and deliver the reconstructed market on time.

Recounting their ordeals, traders expressed their devastation and frustration following the fire incident, keeping in mind the current economic situation.

They, however, are in high spirits at the government’s swift response in reconstructing the shops and reallocating the reconstructed shops to their original occupants as they await the promised financial support by Tinubu’s administration.

Mr. Emenike Nweke, a trader whose livelihood was severely impacted by the devastating fire, said he and other affected traders are still anxiously awaiting the promised financial support from the government.

He expressed the hope that the government will honour its promise to restore the traders’ livelihoods by reallocating the reconstructed shops to their original occupants.

Another victim, Mrs. Victoria Ameh, said she received the news of the market’s construction with joy and passionately appealed to the government to provide timely financial assistance, highlighting her daunting responsibilities—the impending school fees for her children and the looming threat of eviction as rent payments beckoned.

She urged the government to show empathy and fairness in the allocation of the shops and resist the temptation to award the shops to outsiders who are willing to offer large sums of money.

Instead, the government should prioritize the displaced original traders who urgently need support.

Mr. Austin Obi, Vice Chairman of the Karu Market Association, expressed his delight, as well as that of the market management and traders, stating that they are thrilled to witness the commencement of market construction.

Obi, who represented the chairman, Mr. Abdulahadi Abubakar, said they had formally submitted a comprehensive list of shop owners and their details to AMAC.

On the N5 million donation, he said the market management had taken a decision to use the funds for a different project within the market instead of utilizing it for the intended purpose of rebuilding the market.

Obi pointed out that a total of 1340 traders were affected by the fire, and if the N5 million donation were to be shared among them, each person would receive a paltry N3732.

The market management has earmarked the donation for various essential projects, including the construction of modern toilet facilities, the installation of solar-powered lighting, and the drilling of a borehole to provide a reliable water supply to the market, according to the Vice Chairman.

According to Persecondnews, Sen. Ireti Kingibe, representing the Federal Capital Territory in the Senate, had previously demonstrated compassion and empathy towards the devastated traders when she visited the market after the destruction.

Kingibe, vowing to vigorously champion their cause and work tirelessly to address their concerns and needs, had asked the affected traders to compile and submit to her office a comprehensive list of their specific needs and requirements.

In a motion aptly titled ‘The Karu Fire Outbreak and the Need for Safer Public Places,’ Kingibe brought to the Senate’s attention the devastating fire incident that ravaged the Karu main market on June 27, 2024.

The Senate, in response to Kingibe’s motion, resolved that the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) and the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) should prioritize the re-allocation of rebuilt shops to their original owners, with the aim of ensuring the reinstatement of those affected by the fire incident at Karu Market to their former trading spaces once reconstruction is complete.

As the construction project progresses, traders are holding their breath and fervently hoping that AMAC will heed the Senate’s guidance and take swift, decisive action to address their concerns, bringing much-needed relief.