Our Correspondent
The management of Abubakar Rimi Market, popularly known as Sabon Gari Market in Kano state, has given the reasons why it has ordered wheelbarrow pushers to leave the market premises.
The wheelbarrow pushers, under the auspices of Barrow Group Organization, numbering about 400, are traders selling goods on the carts around the market.
Piqued by the expulsion notice, the traders staged a peaceful protest on Wednesday in Kano city.
The protesters, carrying placards containing different inscriptions, started the procession from the Sabon Gari market to the government.
Leader of the protest, Sunusi Saleh Abdullahi, accused the Managing Director, Muhammadu Abubakar Rimi Market, Abdulkadir B. Hussain of forcing them to leave the market without any cogent reason.
Speaking to Periscope correspondent, Abdullahi said they have been running business in the market for decades, through successive governments, but the current MD ordered their expulsion.
He said they are law-abiding traders and contribute to the revenue drove of the market, as such, they do not see any reason to chase them out of the market.
“We contribute to the revenue of the market. We always pay N70 tax. N20 entrance levy and N50 hawking tax.
“We are over 400. We have family and we are law-abiding. We do not do anything bad in this market. Even some bad eggs among us, we make sure we deal with them,” he said.
The leader also said they do not know their offence but suddenly received a notice that they should leave the market.
According to him, all their efforts to find solution to the matter probed unsuccessful, calling on the state governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf to come to their aid.
“We don’t know our offence, but suddenly received notice of eviction. We follow all processes to get solace but proceed unsuccessful.
“That is why we decided to stage this protest to make the world see and call on the state governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, to intervene and help us,” he said.
When contacted for comment, the Managing Director said the wheelbarrow traders have become nuisance in the market.
According to him, the traders have occupied all streets and passages in the market, causing congestion that results to phone theft, pickpocketing and other illicit and even immoral acts.
Hussain pointed out that the decision to chase the cart pushers out of the market was to decongest it and for security purpose.
He stressed that the management had to follow due process, following consultations with relevant stakeholders, including the leadership of the wheelbarrow traders, before taking the decision.
The MD disclosed that the management of the market had provided a space to resettle the embattled traders to run their business near the market but they refused to accept the proposal.
” Before we took this decision, we invited all stakeholders, including elders , security, even the members of the wheelbarrow traders association and every concerned individual.
“We explained the kind of inconvenience they are causing in the market. We offer them another place where they will conveniently run their businesses but they refused.
“We will not reverse our decision because it is in the interest of the general public. My advice to these people is to obey the order and ensure that they conduct their businesses through legitimate means.
“A good husband would not want his wife come to this market if he sees what its being committed in the market. The congestion had allow men and women to mix and mingle, a very disturbing scenario.
“Now everything has been cleared. We have now sanitized the market. Go and see how people are passing freely no more congestion,” he said.
