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Traders at Section C of Dei Dei Scrap Market in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have appealed to the Minister of the FCT, Barr. Nyesom Wike, to urgently intervene in what they described as a growing public health and humanitarian concern following the alleged illegal demolition of the section’s only toilet facility.
The traders lamented that thousands of people who conduct business in the bustling market are now left without access to basic sanitation facilities, forcing both traders and customers to seek alternatives outside the market premises.
Speaking with journalists in his office on Tuesday, the Chairman of Section C, Chief Kenneth Okoye, described the situation as unfortunate and unacceptable for one of Abuja’s major commercial hubs.
According to him, the crisis began when the only toilet facility serving the section was allegedly demolished by a trader who has since commenced the construction of six shops on the site, leaving the market community to grapple with severe sanitation challenges.
He expressed concern that the absence of toilet facilities has subjected traders, particularly women, the elderly and visitors, to untold hardship and indignity.
“Our people deserve dignity. A major market in Abuja cannot function without toilets. Women, the elderly and customers are the most affected. It is painful that people who come here daily to earn an honest living are subjected to these conditions,” he said.
Okoye warned that the continued absence of proper sanitation facilities poses serious public health risks, including the possible outbreak of communicable diseases such as cholera and other infections.
He described the situation as a ticking time bomb that requires immediate government intervention before it degenerates into a major health crisis.
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“Markets are places where thousands of people converge every day. Without proper toilet facilities, we are exposing both traders and customers to avoidable health risks. This is not just about convenience; it is about public health, human dignity and the welfare of our people,” he stated.
The market chairman called on the FCT Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike, to intervene by restoring the demolished toilet facility and providing additional sanitation infrastructure to cater to the growing population of traders and visitors in the market.
He appealed to the minister to extend his infrastructural transformation agenda to the market, noting that access to basic amenities such as toilets is fundamental to creating a safe and conducive business environment.
“We know the Minister as ‘Mr. Projects’ because of the remarkable infrastructural developments taking place across the Federal Capital Territory. We are appealing to him to come to our rescue by restoring this essential facility and providing more toilets for our people,” he appealed.
While commending the minister for the ongoing transformation of Abuja, Okoye reaffirmed the support of traders in Dei Dei Scrap Market for the administration’s developmental efforts.
“Only those who refuse to see will deny that work is ongoing in Abuja. We are proud of what the minister is doing across the FCT, and we are solidly behind his administration. Our appeal today is simply for him to remember the ordinary traders whose welfare is equally important,” he added.
The traders further urged the FCT Administration to treat the matter with urgency, stressing that the restoration of the demolished toilet facility would not only improve hygiene standards within the market but also reaffirm the government’s commitment to protecting the health, dignity, and welfare of citizens.
For the thousands of traders and customers who visit Dei Dei Scrap Market daily, they say the demand is simple and fundamental: no market should exist without access to basic sanitation facilities.
