ANAMBRA TRADERS DECRY RISING SHOP, HOUSE RENTS, APPEAL TO SOLUDO FOR URGENT INTERVENTION
By Juliana Nwachukwu
Traders in Anambra State have raised concerns over the rising cost of shop, house and business-space rents across the state, calling on the government to urgently intervene and protect residents and business owners from excessive rental charges. The concern was raised during a solidarity gathering organised by the Anambra State Market Amalgamated Traders Association (ASMATA) on Aug. 22 at the Godwin Achebe Stadium, Fegge, Onitsha.
The event, which attracted traders, market leaders, government officials and supporters of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), was organised primarily to mobilise traders and demonstrate support for the party ahead of the forthcoming federal, state and local government elections. However, the issue of rising rents became a major point of discussion as market leaders appealed to the state government to address what they described as the growing financial burden on traders, residents and small business owners.
The Chairman of ASMATA, Onitsha Zone, Chief Eric Uwaoma, expressed concern over the high cost of shops, houses and business spaces in markets and plazas across the state. He questioned the level of protection available to traders during disputes with landlords and property owners, asking whether traders should be left entirely at the mercy of landlords or whether the government, as the regulator of activities in the state, should play a stronger role.
He also alleged that some traders face intimidation during disagreements over rents and appealed to Governor Chukwuma Soludo to urgently investigate the situation and provide a lasting solution.
Similarly, the Chairman of Sokoto Road Market, Hon. Emeka Mbachu, urged the governor to revisit the issue of rising rents, describing it as a major challenge for both traders and residents. Hon. Mbachu called on the governor to fulfil his earlier commitment to examining the rising cost of house rents, noting that government intervention in the matter would provide significant relief for traders and other residents.
He stressed that the increasing cost of accommodation had become a serious concern and urged the government to place the welfare of ordinary citizens among its priorities.
The Chairman of Haruna Street Market, Chief Emmanuel Idoko, also appealed to Governor Soludo to intervene on behalf of traders struggling with high rents. Chief Idoko said traders were becoming increasingly concerned about developments within the markets, particularly the rising cost of rents and alleged intimidation.
While commending Uwaoma for his continued efforts to speak on issues affecting traders in Onitsha South, he called for stronger government action to safeguard the interests of the market community. The three market leaders urged the state government to bring landlords, traders and other relevant stakeholders to the negotiating table to find a fair and sustainable solution to the rent crisis and prevent excessive rental charges from undermining businesses.
The issue formed part of broader discussions at the ASMATA gathering, where the President-General of the association, Chief Humphrey Anuna, also reaffirmed the readiness of traders to participate actively in the forthcoming elections. The traders consequently appealed to Governor Soludo to give urgent attention to the rising cost of rents, saying that effective intervention would help ease the financial pressure on traders, residents and small business owners across the state.
Juliana Nwachukwu is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State
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