Nigeria Content Online

Anguish, despair and lamentation were the lot of
traders at the famous Agidigbi building, located in the heart of Benin
City as they were forced to move out their goods at the weekend as
government prepares to demolish the building.

The state government had apparently acquired the more
than 100-year-old building from the Agidigbi family for the purpose of
constructing a shopping mall on its grounds.

Some of the occupants of the building, which houses
about 450 people, are said to have resided there for the past 25 years.
They also claim that they were given only seven days quit notice.

The unhappy traders had barely settled down for the
day’s business when state government officials arrived at the building
to direct them to pack their belongings from the house in readiness for
its demolition.

Alfred Onyenaka, chairman of the traders’ association
at the building said that the government has not been fair to his
colleagues, whom he said have been denied engaging in their business,
thereby putting them and their families at the risk of hunger.

He said with the development, the state government is
breeding more criminals and kidnappers, “Government don do their best.
They don keep us for hungry. We no get power pass government. Person
wen they remove something from him mouth go hungry now. So make we take
the thing as we see am now. For now, me I dey go to my house where I
dey live. If possible, I fit go to my place of origin because nobody
wen no come from him state,” he said.

Another leader of the traders, Chima Francis said his
group has been trying to see the state governor, Adams Oshiohmole in
order to appeal to him to give them up to December this year to enable
them find an alternative place.

“The people in the building are unhappy because they
don’t have any other place to go,” he said. “We appeal to the state
government to give us a place, even if we would spend our money to
construct the area.”

In public interest

But the Edo State Commissioner for Lands and Survey,
Didi Adodo said the state government bought over the building “for
public interest”.

He also debunked the allegation that traders were
given a week notice, saying the government had acquired the building
and others around the area, gazetted the acquisition and published it
in national newspapers since last year.

Clem Agba, the state commissioner for Environment,
also said the takeover of the area was part of government’s effort to
modernize the city.

“It is part of the enhancement of the beautification going on
around the King’s square area.” Mr Agba said. “The Comrade governor
wants to set standard in terms of buildings to be seen around the
area.”