Plateau Traders, Transporters Shut Markets Over Executive Order

Plateau State chapter of Joint Transport, Traders and Marketers Association (PSJTTMA) in solidarity with other unions has closed down businesses and markets in protest over the state government’s Executive Order 003 of 2024.

The association resolved on Tuesday and declared yesterday 3rd April 2024 a sit at home warning strike to show their dissatisfaction with the said Executive Order stressing that they shall continue until a lasting solution is found.

They also appealed to the state government to reduce the restriction time from 9pm to 6am to 5pm to 7am for efficient working of the Executive Order adding that at the moment no truck owner is willing to convey goods from other states to Plateau which has led to increase in prices of goods and services in the state.

However, in compliance with the protest’s order which was also issued in a press statement signed by the secretary general of the association, Plateau State chapter, Abubakar Garba, economic activities have been grounded following the closure of some markets and other business outlets in the state.

Our correspondent observed that some of the shops in the popular Farin Gada, building materials, New and Katago market where vegetables, groceries and grains are uploaded and transported to various part of the country were seen under lock and key.

Speaking to LEADERSHIP at building materials market in Jos South LGA, Chief Chinedu Cosmas and Malam Isah Usman appealed to the Plateau State government to as a matter of urgency provide  alternative routes for the trucks, saying though the initiative was a welcome development, alternative routes should have been provided for the heavy duty trucks.

According to the duo, the presence of the trucks in the state in the day time has caused loss of so many lives and destruction of property worth millions of naira through accidents most especially around Polo roundabout at the peak of business activities in the state.