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The Labour Party Senatorial candidate for Imo West, Chief Charles Ugochukwu Ahize has decried what he described as “unwarranted and unjustifiable harassment and extortion” of Igbo traders at the Alaba International Market in Lagos by hoodlums parading themselves as park managers, calling on the Lagos State government to guarantee adequate protection of the traders.
The successful businessman who is also the Chairman of Atlantic Automobile Limited in Lagos regretted that hardworking businessmen of mostly Igbo extraction would be subjected to such level of barbaric harassment by some elements whose source of authority and confidence is not certain.
According to him; “Igbo traders in Lagos State and elsewhere across Nigeria should be allowed to do their businesses in peace. They are undoubtedly the highest development partners any State can boast of and it behoves on the right authorities to ensure that they are protected from some of these elements who are clearly, enemies of the development and economic prosperity of Lagos State.”
He urged the State government to ban the illegal collection of levies by thugs or any other group under any guise at the Alaba International Market and rather enter a fair agreement with the traders on how to pay an agreed levy to the State government in order to avert such ugly confrontations from being a steady reoccurrence.
He also offered to reach out to the Lagos State governor whom he described as a listening leader and an advocate of civility and discipline.
“I will be speaking to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on the matter in order to find a lasting solution to this issue and ensure that the usual harmonious relationship that has existed between the traders and other segments of the society is restored and preserved. Governor Sanwo-Olu is a listening leader and I am confident that he will be open to any ideas that will help to resolve this misunderstanding as quickly as possible.” He concluded.
