2023 Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has expressed his disgust after “shop owners are now being asked to pay ₦700,000 to reopen their stores” following the closure of the Onitsha Head Bridge Market.
In February, the entire Head Bridge Market in Onitsha was closed due to “suspected trading in illegal drugs”, with Obi calling on the government to reconsider, saying, the action can adversely affect small businesses.
The former Governor of Anambra State said, he stands in “support of the authorities to ensure our society is free from fake drugs and counterfeit goods”, however, said, it is “deeply unfortunate” that shop owners are now charged a fee for their business spots to be reopened.
Read: ‘Entire Head Bridge Market in Onitsha’ closed due to suspected trading in illegal drugs’
Obi continued, in the past two (2) years in Nigeria, more than “7 miilion” MSME have “collapsed”, adding, “the very system that should be offering them oxygen to support their breathing is instead suffocating them”.
Obi (X/@PeterObi) wrote: “NAFDAC and the Onitsha Head Bridge Market
“I recall visiting the Head Bridge Market during the initial phase of its closure, standing in support of the authorities to ensure our society is free from fake drugs and counterfeit goods. I did so with the hope that investigations would be carried out swiftly, and the market would be reopened promptly, especially to ease the suffering of small business owners already burdened by our current national economic challenges.
“It is, therefore, deeply unfortunate to learn that shop owners are now being asked to pay ₦700,000 to reopen their stores. Already, over 7 million Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) have collapsed in the past two years in Nigeria. Our MSME’s businesses are at a “we can’t breathe” stage, and the very system that should be offering them oxygen to support their breathing is instead suffocating them.”
He described the “level of insentivity” from the government as “both disturbing and uncaring”, saying, we need to “prioritize compassion, economic recovery, and the survival of our small businesses at this critical time in our nation”.
Obi appealed to the relevant authorities to “review and drop the charge” as well as “allow the businesses to reopen”.
Obi continued: “This level of insensitivity is both disturbing and uncaring. Let us prioritize compassion, economic recovery, and the survival of our small businesses at this critical time in our nation.
“Surely, I am standing in support of the authorities to ensure our society is free from fake drugs and counterfeit goods. I did so with the hope that investigations would be carried out swiftly, and the market would be reopened promptly, especially to ease the suffering of small business owners already burdened by our current national economic challenges.
“I want to appeal again to the relevant authorities: please review and drop this charge. Allow these businesses to reopen. These shop owners have already endured prolonged closures, mounting unpaid bills, and economic strain. Adding further burdens to them and their families at this time is simply unjust and an economic sabotage.
“Compassion must lie at the root of government action.”
Photo: Peter Obi at the Onitsha Head Bridge Market after its closure, calls for reopening of the Market
