Agonies and tears rent the air as bulldozers of Anambra State Government rolled on Sunday to commence the demolition of the Onitsha Main Market despite a court order, restraining the State Government from such an action pending the determination of a substantive suit.
It was gathered that over 10,000 shops had been marked for demolition at the Onitsha Main Market in the demolition exercise by the Anambra State Government.
The governor had visited the market in February, describing it as an eyesore. He affirmed that many traders had constructed shops, plazas, parking spaces, and other structures on drainages and areas not included in the original master plan, thereby obstructing movement and posing environmental and safety concerns.
Governor Soludo emphasised that the Government would demolish unauthorised structures and remodel the market to restore it to its intended design and glory.
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He maintained that the demolition was necessary for sections of the market that were constructed outside the original master plan.
Despite traders presenting reasons against the demolition, Governor Soludo was adamant on his decision, prompting the State Government to issue a 14-day ultimatum for traders to vacate the affected structures.
Traders and stakeholders, however, resisted the plan. They urged the State Government to build a new market elsewhere, saying the demolition of the existing structures would affect livelihoods, cause hardship and create insecurity.
In spite of these pleas, the governor remained firm in his decision. But, on Sunday morning, the Anambra State Government, through the Onitsha North Local Government Council, mobilised resources and deployed bulldozers to begin the demolition in earnest.
As of Sunday midnight, security operatives including the Military, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and “Agunechemba” security outfit barricaded the roads leading to the market prior to the demolition.
Many traders rushed to the market to salvage their goods, but it was too late.
Speaking to BusinessDay at the scene, the traders expressed regret, noting that State Government demolished the market without providing alternatives for them.
Martins Emeronye, Chairman of Frontline Bright Street, who was Chairman, Mandela Square for 15 years, cautioned the State Government that proceeding with the demolition could worsen insecurity in the State.
“One shop in this market sustains many people daily. If such shops are demolished, the after effects will be severe. We respectfully urge His Excellency to understand that demolishing existing shops without adequate alternatives will be counterproductive”, Emeronye said.
He recalled that when he arrived at the market in 1985, designated parking spaces existed. However, as the trader population grew, adjustments were made to accommodate increasing commercial activities.
Meanwhile, Alpha Ogbonnaya, former Secretary of Mandela Line, commended the governor’s vision of building a modern market but emphasised that redevelopment should not come at the expense of traders’ livelihoods.
Ogbonnaya proposed the construction of new markets in other locations to operate alongside the existing market.
“If the demolition proceeds as planned, it will cause untold hardship. Each shop represents an entire household—parents, children, extended family members, and dependents. These shops fund education, healthcare, housing, and daily sustenance,” he said.
Innocent Ezeoha, immediate past Chairman of Onitsha Main Market, provided historical context for the market’s deviation from its original master plan.
He explained that major fire outbreaks in 1984 and 1997 destroyed large sections of the market, leading to extensive reconstruction by successive administrations.
“These reconstructions significantly altered the original master plan. Shops were rebuilt and reallocated by various state governments. Since then, the market has evolved far beyond its initial design,” he said.
Ezeoha further noted that thousands of new traders graduate annually from the Igbo apprenticeship system, increasing demand for shop spaces. To accommodate them, additional structures were erected over time, contributing to the market’s expansion.
