The Imo
State government of Rochas Okorocha is bent on relocating the ancient Eke Ukwu
Owerri market on the basis that it is defacing the city. The Governor was
reported to have said the market has to move to Egbeada community in Mbaitoli
LGA.
His
determination to move the market outside Owerri metropolis as expected has
elicited fierce reactions from the owners of the market- Owerri people. The
indigenes say the market has remained on its present location for over 400
years and therefore it is unmovable.
The
intentions of the State government on the surface appears noble but is
certainly a slap on the face of the people if their only ancestral market is
relocated to a far flung location such as Egbeada in Mbaitoli LGA. Will the
market be called Eke Ukwu Mbaitoli!
The
truth of the matter is that the Eke Ukwu Market and the Ugwu Ekwema
civic centre are the only historical relics of Owerri people that still stand
today. Others have been vanquished. Therefore relocating the market out of its location
is really unthinkable for the average Owerri man whose land were forcefully taken
away to develop Owerri city.
Owerri people are so emotional when it comes
to Eke Ukwu Owerre market. This is why the people never hesitated to oppose the
military administration of Late Nay Commander Amadi Ikwechegh who wanted to
move the market away. Several attempts by successive governments to relocate the
market was also futile.
This therefore
buttresses the fact that the market has strong cultural and spiritual affinity
with the people of Owerri and I think Okorocha should respect the feelings of the
people.
If Okorocha’s government insists
that the market has to go to ease traffic logjam in the city, he must
understand that such historical markets can be modernized to reflect his administration’s
urban renewal programme.
One
wonders why the state government cannot compel street traders at Eke
Ukwu Owerre who constitute a nuisance to move to Relief Market which is
located in the municipality. There are many unused lock up stalls at Relief
market which is so exorbitant to rent because government refused to scale down
the price of its rent-age
In Lagos
State, ancient markets such as Tejuosho and Oshodi markets were upgraded to
conform to the pace of urbanization of Lagos State. They were never relocated. Those
markets reflect the history and culture of the people. And people’s historical
identity and instrument must be respected at all times.
I will resist
the urge to say that Okorocha’s government has no regards for history and
historical features of the State.
Having demolished arts and artifacts that
showcase the history of Imo State, its insistence on relocating an ancestral
market like Eke Ukwu Owerre further strengthens the belief that Okorocah has no
regards for relics of history and culture. This is so sad.
BY CHIEDU UZODINMA
PHOTOS: Protesting Owerri women protesting Plans By Imo State Govt To Relocate Eke UKWU Owerre
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