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| Eke Ukwu Owere Market |
Since
the Imo State government of Rochas Okorocha announced plans to relocate the
ancient Owerri market, Eke Ukwu Owere to Naze, a semi urban
settlement with about 3,000 inhabitants and 10 kilometers from Owerri city,
divergent views have trailed the matter.
Most
indigenes of Owerri municipality popularly known and called Owere Nchi Ise are opposed to the plan
on the basis that the market is the ancestral heritage of Owerri people founded
over 400 years ago.
Investigations
reveal that Owerri people hold the market and the Ugwu Ekwema Civic Centre in high
esteem.
They
contend that the present government has not been fair to people of Owerri in
recent times having recently balkanized their traditional institution last year.
In December 2014, Imo State Governor, Owelle
Rochas Okorocha issued staff of office to four traditional rulers in Owerri
thus dethroning the Njemanze dynasty which has been the paramount ruler of
Owerri for many years. Some Owerri
leaders kicked against the move including a staunch supporter of the Okorocha
administration, Bob Kay Njemanze, who lambasted the governor for his action.
Many
contended that Okorocha’s action was total disregard for the Owerri traditional
dynasty which can be equated with other royal dynasties in the country such as
the sultan of Sokoto, the Obi of Onitsha, the Onii of Ife and Oba of Benin.
“Can
the Governor of Sokoto State afford to dismantle the sultanate or will Governor
Ambode of Lagos State touch the Oba dynasty in Lagos without dire consequences?
Certainly not. It is only in Igbo land
and in Imo State traditional rulers are disrespected and disregarded by our
governor” said Chief Hilary Mere.
In
2012, the Imo State government was strongly opposed by Amawom community, one of
the villages that make up Owere Nchi Ise
when the Okorocha administration forcefully took over Area K at World Bank
Housing Estate. The area is a large expanse
of land. The State government later withdrew from the land after fierce demonstrations
and complete occupation of the land by men, women and youths of the community.
The State government said it wanted to use the
land for the construction of an ecumenical centre which the land owners said is
of no economic value and importance to the community.
Another
brawl also ensued last year between the State government and Umuodu Umuihugba
Community over the construction of a shopping mall at Relief Market, Owerri.
The community went on protest to demand not only for compensation for the land
upon which the stalls were constructed but a sizeable number of the stalls at
the mall.
The
State government later backed down after prominent elders of the community led
by Ikemba Owere, Chief Nath Onyeukwu and the leadership of the community
maintained their stance. Before then, the Youth Chairman of the Community, Mr.
Anayo Igwe was assaulted by a top official of the State government. In the end, some stalls which is not up to 20%
of the entire stalls were conceded by the State government to the community.
In
recent times, the issue of relocation of the Eke Ukwu market has reverberated fresh altercations between the
State government and Owerri people. The market, according to the State
government, is to be relocated as part of plans to ease traffic congestion in
the heart of the city.
Owerri has lately witnessed increased grinding
traffic in recent times which prompted the State government to take proactive
actions. Okorocha identified the relocation of the market as part of the
solution to the traffic logjam in the State and decongest the city.
Some
Imo State government officials insisted that the market is not in the master
plan.
However,
some Owerri indigenes seem to be passionate about the market on the basis that it
is an ancestral market with some spiritual and cultural undertones, thus it
cannot be removed.
“
The Eke Ukwu Owere market is an
ancient market. It is one of the few markets that is even older that most
ancient markets in Igboland. It cannot be moved just like that” said Kevin
Emerole, a community leader.
An
effort by our reporter to speak to Eze Njemanze on the controversial issue was futile
but some youths in the area raised concern over the planned relocation.
Hon Eze Oparaugo, a youth leader told this
newspaper that “Every community has a market. If the state government takes the
market to Naze or wherever, which market would we have.
“We know the Relief market is nearby but it is
not our ancestral market. Relief market
was created as an alternative market by the Amadi Ikwechegh administration as a
basis to move out Eke Ukwu Owere out its present location. But it never worked”
This
newspaper observed that the State government is bent on relocating the market as
it has began construction of an alternative market at Naze in Owerri North LGA. Some government officials told this newspaper
that once the market is completed, the ancient Owerri market situated in the
heart of the town will be moved
This has further incensed Owerri indigenes who
say that the Okorocha administration has never been friendly to the people. They
lament over their economic loss if the market is removed. It was learnt that the
youths collected toll from the market.
Chief Micheal Ejeala, indigene said “There is
no job. We use the toll we collect from the market to take care of our families
and send our children to school. Our mothers and wives stay in this market and
make some money to help our families.
“Owerri
people have nothing left except this market. Urbanization made Owerri indigenes
to lose a lot. We lost our land to government without compensation. And now
they want to take away this market, we will resist it with everything in us” he
said
Another indigene and community leader, Steven
Anoruo said “We know why Okorocha does not like Owerri people. Since some
Owerri youths disrupted his campaign rally in 2011at Township Primary School,
Owerri now renamed City School when he was contesting to be elected as governor;
he has not been nice to us since he was elected”
He
continued “He divided the traditional institution and recognized the four
villages by appointing traditional rulers for the villages. Owerri may have
five villages but it is five in one. That is why it is called Owere
Nchi Ise meaning five in one. This is why we celebrate our Oru
Owere festival together.
“He
planted the four traditional rulers so that they can support his plan to
relocate the market. We are observing his disposition towards our people which
is not favourable” he stated
But
government has been quick to dispel the insinuation. Mr. Rafael Okoro, a member
of Community Government Council disagreed.
He
said “It is not true. Okorocha has been good to Owerri people. All the new infrastructural projects he has
embarked on in the State, 80% of the projects are in Owerri municipal. Is it the
ultra modern city school and many other new projects that have beautified the city?
So, all these allegations are false and unfounded”
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