By Kingsley Madaki
Federal Capital Territory FCT, Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has announced the reopening of the Dei-Dei building materials market and the adjoining markets which were shut following the crisis that erupted at the market on the May18, 2022.
Bello disclosed this in Abuja on Thursday, after a meeting with major stakeholders of the Dei-Dei community, held at the FCDA, adding that the markets will re-open for business on Friday, May 27, 2022.
According to the Minister, all stakeholders at the meeting agreed that the Dei-Dei market fracas was not an ethnic inspired incident but a traffic accident that was hijacked by hoodlums. He revealed that the market will go forward, be re-organized and placed under relevant and proper supervision.
“This morning, we held a very important meeting with the stakeholders of the Dei Dei community, the leadership and the head of that community, His Royal Highness, Dr Idris Musa, the Sarkin Jiwa and all the leaders of the five major markets within that community, as well as religious leaders.
“Basically, we reaffirmed the need for peace in that community, as well as FCT in general, and discussed at length, all issues relating to last week’s incident that led to the destruction of properties and unfortunately, loss of lives.
“The conclusion of our meeting is that all the communities agreed that what happened was not a tribal or religious crisis. What happened was just an unfortunate accident that was overtaken by hoodlums in the community who created havoc. The general consensus now is that every community will make sure that miscreants and hoodlums are flushed out”, he stated.
Malam Bello also said that the meeting equally resolved that many of the structures in the market were erected in non-conformity with the Abuja master plan and corrective measures will be taken to correct these development anomalies.
Speaking on the activities of commercial motorcyclists known popularly as Okada, the Minister said that their operations will be brought under full regulation and control.
“Generally, the entire stakeholders agreed that peace is very important. Without peace, there will not be economic development and without peace, there will be no society. It was clearly reiterated that the FCT Administration will ensure that all rules and regulations are adhered to” the Minister added.
Malam Bello also announced the constitution of a Technical Committee that would provide a comprehensive report and a roadmap for the re-development of the whole area for the benefit of the citizens.
The Committee, which has four weeks to submit its report is chaired by TPL Ibrahim Ismaila, the Senior Special Assistant to the Minister on Land and Urban and Regional Planning and draws membership from the local and business community of the Dei-Dei area, the security agencies as well as officials of the FCT Administration.
