While women of Owere Nchi Ise(Owerri municipality) rejoiced and danced over the successful hosting of 2013 August meeting, residents and stakeholders on Tuesday fumed over the closure of the ever bustling Eke Ukwu Owere market for the event.
Some Owerri residents who thronged the ever busy market for one purpose or the other wondered why the market that serves the entire State Capital will be shut down simply because of an August meeting that had the Governor’s wife in attendance.
Mr. Okenze Anayo, a resident in the metropolis, who spoke to Trumpeta on the closure of the market, said it is preposterous for the ever busy Eke Ukwu Owere to be closed because of an event that has no direct bearing on the people.
He said it is sad that the market is shut down regularly for flimsy excuses and reasons especially whenever a function is being held and the State Governor and his wife is in expected to attend, stating that it is regrettable that the market is closed without any genuine or justifiable reason.
Another resident who spoke on condition of anonymity said it is improper for the market to be closed at random, narrating the implications of closing the market which mainly result to loss of time and money. He lamented that such action is mostly taken without prior information as both buyers and sellers are taken unawares over such abrupt closure of the market.
He took a frowned at the authorities of Owerri municipal council, wondering why the SOLAD, Mazi Paschal Ujah and the member representing OwerriMunicipal State constituency, Hon Victor Mere had to resort to ordering the closure of the market simply because they are hosting the Governor’s wife, describing the act as a cheap political eye service.
“This is not the situation in other areas. The popular Tejuosho market in Lagos is not shut down like that. After all, the August meeting is never held in a market. There are non indigenes in the market that have no nothing to do with the August meeting. So, why close down the market? The event took place miles away from the market. So, what is the basis for closing down the market?” He asked angrily.
A visit by our reporter at the market showed that most residents lamented over the situation, wondering why a mere August meeting will necessitate the need to close down the market.
It was however observed that skeletal market activities took place as roadside market traders displayed their wares for buyers which they were patronized.
