Business owners, small scale industrialists along the land area spanning Enugu Red Cross railway crossing, Market Road to Osisatech Polytechnic affected by the recent quit notice have asked Enugu state government to reconsider its policy decision in order to avoid subjecting them to untold hardship.
As part of Enugu state government’s efforts to decongest main market – Old Park – Chris Chemist axis in Enugu urban had decided to construct bus terminals in the area and therefore, issued 14 days ultimatum within which those doing businesses in the area should relocate.
Government also said the desire to relocate businesses in the area was part of its expansion and modernisation programme in the state.
But rising from their meeting in Enugu Monday, the business operators kicked against what they termed a “forceful eviction order,” by the state government, saying they were no squatters or trespassers in the area as they had legally acquired the affected area from the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), the original owners.
In a statement released in Enugu after their meeting, signed by David Johnson Anayo, Chief Clement Madichie, Chief Emeka Ezenwa,Chief George Ibekendu and Chief Onyebuchi Mgbemene, they said most of them have been living and doing business in Enugu from their youth but have never heard of any friction or face-off between the government and people of Enugu and non-indigenes from the era of Eastern region.
