A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and erstwhile National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP) Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, has appealed to the Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal and his Benue State counterpart, Gov. Samuel Ortom, to give a little thought to affected traders of the infernos that engulfed the popular Mile Three market and two other major markets within the Port Harcourt metropolis in February, which destroyed goods and properties running into millions and wrecked people’s sources of livelihoods.
Eze named the following as the affected markets:
- Marine Base Timber market Port Harcourt, Fire outbreak
- Shops in Bishop Okoye Street, Mile Three Market Fire outbreak
- Ogbumnabali Butcher Market fire outbreak
In a statement made available to media houses in Port Harcourt, Chief Eze said the appeal became necessary to stern the tide of public condemnation that trailed Gov. Wike’s excessive acts of frivolity and unsolicited benevolence especially, the recent offer of #500 Million (Naira) largesse to the Sokoto State Government, for the rebuilding of a market affected by fire outbreak and to help affected traders back to business, whereas, Rivers people, whose resources he control and lavish, have continued to wallow in poverty and deep want in the midst of surplus after ensuring that the State is the national capital of poverty and unemployment.
Eze recalled that some time past, while reeling in the euphoria of the steady monthly allocation from the federal government running into billions, Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, unbidden, embarked on some road projects in Benue state, even when people in some parts of Rivers State swim across muddy waters to access adjoining neighborhoods.
The party stalwart said the excruciating and melancholic condition which traders affected by the Port Harcourt markets infernos have been forced to bear makes it necessary for Gov. Tambuwal of Sokoto and Ortom of Benue, as highest beneficiaries of Gov. Wike’s excessive prodigality, to display some sense of generosity of spirit in compliance with the rule of reciprocity.
Decrying the silent posture which Gov. Wike has maintained since the unfortunate incidents which have subjected traders to pains and agony and robbed them of their wares and means of survival, Chief Eze said one would have loved to see a situation where the Governor visits the scenes of the incidents and provide succor to the wailing traders who contribute in no small means to the economy of Rivers State.
“Recall that some sections of the popular Mile One Market in Port Harcourt and two other sensitive and key markets also within Port Harcourt, the capital city of Rivers State, were recently gutted by a raging inferno and sadly, none of these fire outbreaks attracted the sympathy of our Father Christmas Governor for him to either visit or console the Traders whose wares and means of livelihood have been consumed in the conflagration”.
“While not asking Governor Samuel Ortom and Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Benue and Sokoto States respectively, who have been my good friends and associates right from our days in the defunct New Peoples Democratic Party nPDP to return the huge sums of Rivers money which our dear Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, in his wisdom donated to help their States at the time of their needs without attending to sensitive areas of governance in his own State, I appeal to them to reciprocate the good gestures of Gov. Wike by at least visiting these traders to console and sympathise with them at this crucial period of abandonment and in demonstration of brotherhood”, Eze counselled.
Eze called on Gov. Wike to shun ‘sleeping on duty’, stressing that it is satanic to deny affected traders attention at this trying time, adding that it is only fair, no matter how busy for nothing he may be, to spare some time out and attend to their plight, noting that the traders not only contribute to the GDP of Rivers State but also play vital roles in the food supply chain.
Furthermore, the party stalwart emphasized the need to equip the Fire Service Department of the State adequately to enable them carry out their functions accordingly. Besides a detailed investigation should be launched into the incessant fire incidence in the state in a bid to curb and forestall recurrence.
While consoling the affected traders for their huge losses, Eze urged them not to give up for any reason as God is still on His Throne, and called on people of goodwill to rally round, show concern and contribute in bringing the traders back to market.
Eze used the medium to urge traders across the state to take advantage of the ongoing membership drive in the APC to register with the party in order to take part in the process of bringing onboard, a God-fearing and humane government in the State, such that will promptly tackle the very many challenges affecting growth and development and utilize Rivers resources for the emancipation, development and general well being of all Rivers State people.
