By Uche Eze

Against the backdrop of the planned demolition of Ogige Main Market in Nsukka local government area by the Enugu State Government to pave the way for the construction of a Terminal Bus Stop, a retired Commissioner of police and community leader, Mr. Sunny Ngwu has made a passionate appeal to the state Governor, Barr. Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah to have a re-think on the plan and seek an alternative place for the location of the project.

Ngwu who was also a former PPRO of Nigeria Police made the plea at a press briefing in Nsukka shortly after the traders had a protest march over the demolition plan.

According to him, the demolition, if eventually carried out will have devastating effects, not only to the traders, but also the people of Enugu North senatorial district, adding that the students of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka are likely to be the most affected.

He pointed out that the present economic hardship in the country does not warrant the 72 hours ultimatum issued to the traders to vacate the market.

“This press briefing is nothing more than a plea, a passionate request to His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Enugu state, Barr. Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah; it is about the plight of Nsukka people, it’s about the plight of Nsukka market traders that are facing eviction and demolition of their shops. I know that Governor Mbah is a father that has listening ears. I know that he will listen to the people’s outcry and have a change of mind.

I worked with him during former Governor Chimaroke Nnamani’s administration. This request is therefore not a general one but personal.

I may not have a shop in the market but I know the implication and the after effect of the demolition and I know too that it is for development. Gov. Mbah has good intentions for the people but it shouldn’t be the one that will affect their livelihood and well-being.

Nsukka or Enugu North zone has a vast land where development projects as this can be sited. We are not contesting the authority of the Governor over his choice of project location but we are pleading and requesting him to have a re-think and stop the intended demolition that will affect the majority of the people.

This is the only industry in Nsukka minus the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. This is the only market where students get their needs and if you look at half of the market is marked for demolition”, he said.

Rt. CP Ngwu who traced the history of the market to when it was relocated from the present Mobile Filling station in Nsukka in 1948 to its present location in the town, said markets don’t just exist but has cultural and traditional backgrounds, stressing “Every market in Igbo land and South-East in general is based on cultural and traditional backgrounds and it takes a lot to have a market”. He recalled that an attempt by the former governor Ugwuanyi’s administration to relocate the market to Ede Oballa was vehemently resisted by “Umu Ada” Nsukka (Nsukka Daughters) who went haywire and protested naked in a broad daylight. He attributed Ugwuanyi’s planned relocation of the market then to “bad” advisers who rather worked for their selfish interests rather than for the generality of the people.

This was as he urged Governor Mbah to beware of sycophants who may use him to achieve their selfish motives. He however advised the traders to have faith in God, believing that He can make impossibility possible. should.

Meanwhile, as the race for the selection of the next vice chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka is about to commence, the former PPRO also appealed to Governor Mbah to assist Nsukka to produce the next vice chancellor of the institution, emphasising that since inception of the university in 1960 that no indigenous person from Nsukka has been appointed its vice chancellor.

“We are pleading with HE, the Executive Governor of Enugu state, Peter Mbah to assist Nsukka to get the next vice chancellor of the University of Nigeria Nsukka. It is unfortunate that since the university took off in 1960, no Nsukka man or woman has ever been appointed the vice chancellor. Nsukka has the highest professors in the South East, yet it has not produced the vice chancellor of the institution”, he said.