Business Operators Groan Over Stall Demolition In Akwa Ibom

TUESDAY February 25, 2025 |TheNewsDESK
www.thenewsdesk.ng

Lots of small business operators around Ibom Plaza, a central business district in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, are groaning following the demolition of their stalls by the Uyo Capital City Development Authority, UCCDA, TheWHISTLER reports.

The demolition which began last week has seen hundreds of stalls pulled down with hawkers of various items including shoes, handbags, food items and electronic gadgets being hard hit.

When The Whistler visited the plaza, many of the stranded traders alleged that their wares were confiscated while some alleged that their wares were set on fire.

“I am a university graduate, I have not been employed for five years, I was doing my business and the state government came to demolish my store,” Ubong Etim said.

A further check showed that many of the displayed traders besieged the plaza to salvage their wares and demand the allocation of stalls.

In an interview, Edidiong Vincent, the chairman of the plaza management committee said efforts were being made to resettle the affected traders.

“As you can see, we are trying to allocate spaces to the traders, we want to see how they can be resettled for now, ” he said.

Though the plaza was constructed by former Governor Victor Attah between 1999 and 2007, with shops within the complex, many of the hawkers displayed their goods on the thoroughfares and corridors thus defacing the area.

The traders have also appealed for an alternative location to enable them to carry on with their businesses.