A pro-democracy group, Foundation for Environmental Rights Advocacy and Development (FENRAD), has commended the Government of Abia State for heeding the calls that Ahia Udele Market and Abattoir be relocated to a more convenient site after a ghastly accident.
DAILY POST reported that Governor Okezie Ikpeazu had directed the relocation of Ahia Udele to the Good Morning Market, Aba and also relocated the Abattoir at Ogbo hill to New Omuma Uzor Abattoir in Ukwa West.
He had also directed the State Ministry of Homeland Service to work with relevant security agencies in ensuring compliance.
Recall that a loaded trailer had crashed into the abattoir, killing many people at Waterside Rivers, Ogbo hill, in Aba, Abia State.
However, FENRAD in a release jointly signed by its Executive Director, Nnanna Nelson-Nwafor and Head Corporate Accountability and Human Rights Enforcement, Akande Femisi, forwarded to DAILY POST on Tuesday, described the government’s action as a right step in the right direction and further commended the state government for heeding again its call that heavy-duty and articulated trucks ply the major Abia cities outside business hours.
While commending the state government on its immediate actions after the ugly trailer accident, the human rights group, insisted that there are urgent questions that needed to be answered about the trailer accident in Aba, and queried what better or contingency plans the Abia government has before now regarding the relocation of the market and recovery of parts of it.
FENRAD said, “the government has taken this bold step, which in the thinking of the foundation is a welcome development, it behoves on the government to do its maximum best at ensuring that the affected trading community gets due compensation.
“The idea of relocating the butchers and perishable foods vendors to Good Morning Market or anywhere should not just be an afterthought but a strategic policy that ensures a win-win for the government and affected traders.
The FENRAD also reiterated its earlier call on the seventh leadership of Abia State House of Assembly led by Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji to put up a legislative framework that ensures that heavy-duty trucks do not ply residences in towns and cities where available records show that overhead electric cables, drainages, culverts and buildings and other public properties have been destroyed for the most part.
It stated, “It is still worrisome that nothing has been heard from the state legislature. We once again call on the seventh Assembly to do the needful as Aba is losing its master plan.
“The choice of God’s Morning Market should not be permanent but a stopgap measure that precedes a better location where potable water supply, public health safety and hygiene are obtainable as a standard Abattoir for the Enyimba city. Currently, Aba is shortchanged when it comes to a standard Abattoir, and this is regrettable to say the least.
“Dualization of the recovered Ahia Udele area could forestall future accidents. We also call on the state government to speed up all ongoing works before the rain returns”.
