By FESTUS AHON

UGHELLI—THE people of Otor-Iwhreko community, Ughelli North Local Government Area, Delta State, have kicked against the move by the state government to demolish and relocate the Ughelli main market, describing same as capable of triggering crisis in the area.

Speaking through Hitler Olotu, when the leadership and Elders’ Council of the community visited the chairman of Ughelli North Council Transition Committee, the Area Commander of the Ughelli Area command, Mr. Awosola Awotide on Tuesday, said the people insisted that it was unacceptable for the government to to demolish a market to pave way for another to thrive.

“Every community in Urhoboland has a market. Otogor, Oviri-Ogor, Edjekota and other communities have their own markets. If the state government wants the Ughelli-Ogor Ultra modern market to be functional, why is it that it is the Ughelli main market that must be demolished while every other market is allowed to operate,” he queried.

He said that the Ughelli main market, which has been in existence since the pre-colonial era was of paramount importance to traders  and customers from the various neighbouring communities as a result of its proximity to the people.

Also speaking, a prominent member of the Elders Council, Sunday Onabedje, described the state government’s decision as an aberration, saying “we will not want to live to see this market destroyed just because they want another one to function and we are vehemently rejecting it.

“The reason why the Ughelli-Ogor Ultra Modern market has not taken off is because the location is not centralised. How do you expect people from neighbouring communities to travel such a long distance just to get to a market? It is a serious security risk which the community will not tolerate.”