Group petitions Gov. Udom, condemns relocation of Fiongetok Market to wrong site

BY ASSAM ABIA

The relocation of a popular weekly market in Eket the Urua Offiongetuk to another area described as “Very unsuitable and hazardous” has witnessed series of protest, petitions and build- up tension in Eket.

In a petition written by “Concern Youths of Eket and signed by Elder Thompson Owen, Comrade Ernest Bassey, Elder Kingsley V. Edohoeket and Lawrence Attang among others, the group called on the State government to step into the lingering crisis to avert break down of Law and order in Eket Local Government Area.

The group alleged that some selfish individuals within Usung Inyang Group of Villages from Udung Uso family deceived the Local Government transition Chairman to relocate the market to a dangerous zone under high tension electric lines for pecuniary benefits against the consent of other villages within Usung Inyang in Eket.

“The small portion of land which the market is about to be relocated to, is situated under the national high tension electric (Trunk A) lines running from Ikot Abasi to Eket Transmission and distribution base located few poles from the proposed site”,

“The management of Port Harcourt Electric Distribution Company DISCO, has issued a red warning that no structure should be erected under or near the high tension lines” the petition read.

Further, the group said the thepography of the said proposed site, apart from being very small, is threatened by erosion due to the heavy gully and swamp around the area.  

They called on the State government to relocate the market to the large expanse of land behind the Urua Offiongetuk as the place is not only suitable for the market but will also add ecstatic beauty to the remodeling project of Eket and will cost less for establishment.

It would be recalled that market Women numbering over 2000 on Wednesday staged a peaceful protest along the streets of Eket condemning the planned relocation of the market to the “Unsuitable” Site.