Ebonyi orders illegal occupants of international market to quit

The Ebonyi State Government has ordered illegal occupants of the state’s international market complex to quit before Monday (today).
The Governor’s Senior Special Adviser on Internal Security, Dr. Kenneth Ugballa, made this known in statement in Abakiliki on Sunday.
According to him, the state government views the illegal occupation of the complex as a security threat and negation to its resolve of making it the best in the country and sub region.
Ugballa said: “Those illegally occupying the complex are advised never to return there on quitting as anyone who violates this order would incur the full wrath of the law.”
Ugballa also directed relevant governmental agencies concerned with the complex to ensure full compliance of the order and ensure adequate maintenance of security.
The multi-billion naira complex located on the ever-busy Abakaliki-Ogoja federal highway was constructed by the immediate past administration led by Chief Martin Elechi.
The administration, however, inaugurated the complex in May 2015, in spite of its non-completion.
Governor David Umahi’s administration on assumption of office revoked all acquisition processes while the contractors handling the project abandoned work on it.
The situation made the complex to be inhabited by reptiles, rodents and destitutes.
One of the occupants, a commercial sex worker, who identified herself as Abigael, vowed that she would not vacate the complex.
Abigael said: “There is no place for me and my colleagues to stay as the government demolished the structures in which we conduct our businesses while constructing a flyover at the Spera-en-Deo junction of the road.
“We are subjected to inhuman conditions of inhabiting with snakes, other reptiles and rodents, after the demolition of our abodes.
“The government should provide alternative accommodation for us if it is serious on our quitting because we cannot live on the road.”