…Insists it will reduce insecurity
Kelechi Esogwa-Amadi
The Rivers State Government has justified its decision to demolish and relocate the popular Slaughter Market to Mgbuoshimini, a community in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
The Slaughter Market has been situated in Oginigba Community, also in Obio/Akpor LGA, for years before its ongoing relocation by the state government.
Rivers State Commissioner for Agriculture, Fred Kpakol, at a radio programme on Saturday, maintained that the relocation of the market is in the best interest of the state, given the high rate of insecurity being witnessed around the Slaughter Market area.
He particularly mentioned a place called Post 3 as the most dangerous in the area in terms of insecurity, adding that many people, especially women, had fallen victims to criminals while passing through there.
Further justifying the Wike administration’s decision to demolish the Slaughter Market, the agric commissioner hinted that it would help restore the aesthetic sanity of the area.
According to him, the shanty-like sight posed by the market is no longer in tune with modern trends of development befitting of such a place.
TPCN recalls that Dr Fred Kpakol’s statement corroborates that of the chairman of Obio/Akpor LGA, Barr George Ariolu, who also cited insecurity as the reason for the relocation and demolition of the Slaughter Market.
Ariolu, who spoke in reaction to criticisms trailing the Rivers State Government’s decision to relocate and demolish the market, disclosed that since the commencement of the exercise, the rate of criminality in the area had reduced drastically.
