Alaba International Market Crisis Not Tribal- Buba Bello

By Peace Chinenye

The public Relations Officer (PRO) of Alaba Amalgamated Traders Association, Alaba international market, Alh. Muhammed Buba Bello has debunked speculations that the recent crisis that rocked the market was occasioned by tribal issues.

Speaking in an interview on Saturday, Bello said the crisis was between traders and park management which was aggravated by the road transport workers who were allegedly extorting money from marketers.

The PRO further stated that the crisis came up when they tried to create a park within the market along Alaba Ojo Egbede road which is for every user.

He added that they tried to open a park within the Alaba junction because the junction was already congested.

Bello however said that the president General Hon. Mbonu Geoffrey Udochukwu and the Chairman Fancy and Furniture, did not allow them to create the park. So their insistence to go ahead with the project led to the Crisis which claimed the life of 3 market people while 57 people were injured.

Alhaji Bello said for that reason, he contacted the stakeholders and decided to close the market for the government to come and settle the matter.

Bello said they resolved that there will be no more street business, no more collection of money by the Union within the market and that parking of vehicles on the road side is prohibited. He added that collection point of money by the Union is now within Volks, Sunny and Sabo.

The resolution was reached by the SSA local government and the two parties.

Buba encouraged marketers to continue doing their business, saying Alaba is free for all.