Tension has gripped New Shop Market, Wuse, as traders raised alarm over moves to convert the market’s only remaining car park into a construction site.
The traders accused market officials and private developers of marking out the open space, which they say is vital for business, safety and survival.
“This is the only parking space we have,” said Nnaji Juda Chukwuazago, spokesperson for the traders’ coalition.
“If they take it, customers will stop coming. That will be the end of business for us.”
According to the traders, the dispute started mid-July when rumours emerged that the Block B car park would be developed. They said initial enquiries to market management and Abuja Investment officials were met with denials.
“But three days ago they came with engineers,” Chukwuazago alleged.
“They mapped the land and even created a new access road for the chairman’s shops.
Now they want to take the last space left for us.”
The traders stressed that safety was at stake beyond livelihoods. They recalled how the same space served as a lifesaving escape route during a fire incident three years ago.
“If they block this place and another fire comes, many will die,” one trader warned.
They accused market leaders of prioritising revenue over human lives, insisting that more than ₦150 billion had already been generated from the market.
“This is illegal, inhuman and dangerous. We beg the Minister of FCT to intervene before disaster strikes.”
