Oyeagu Market Accident Was Avoidable, Only If…

MAZI EJIMOFOR OPARA 

It was on this space that we villified the Awka Capital Territory Development Authority (ACTDA) for clamping down on Street and roadside trading. As a matter of fact with available evidence, an opposition Federal Legislator posted a 5 minute video condemning the State government for dispersing street traders and those who converted major urban roads to commercial stalls.

Yesterday, the Oye-Agu market accident has cleared all doubts with many lives paying the ultimate price for what should have been an avoidable incident. Today, there is pin-drop silence in the opposition’s camp and not even the said Federal Legislator has released a Statement, let alone set up her ring light for social media grandstanding.

It is sad how we define opposition as “anti-government” in this part of the world and play politics with just everything, including Security and other issues that affect collective existence. Countless times, the Oye-Agu roadside traders have been forced into the market, even with picket fences cordoning them off the road. Yet, if it is not on the road side these traders would not sell. Truth is, the fight for survival should be against poverty not our lives. Self-preservation remains the first rule of survival. Ndi Igbo si, “a ghara Ndu kpa aku, onye iro e rie”.

In outright compassion to the plight of these traders, the government of the day has continued to make visible efforts at, first fencing off markets from sprawling into the roads (See Eke-Awka, Afor-Nnobi etc). Also, they have provided alternatives where possible as in the case of the Unizik tempsite road and Abakaliki street traders now relocated to the new “Solution Arena”. Soon, the Nwagu junction traders in Agulu will be moved to a more decent location within the area.

While you are on your daily hustle, remember that preserving your life is in your best interest. May the souls of the dead find rest and may the minds of the living find correction from self-inflicted errors.