From Fred Itua, Abuja
Traders from Abuja Markets on Thursday besieged the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) in protest, demanding an end to the crisis rocking the Abuja Markets Management Limited (AMML).
The angry traders said that confusion has engulfed all the markets and traders because conflicting orders have been coming from the two people claiming to be the managing directors.
Speaking on behalf of traders, Abubakar Abdullahi Secretary General of FCT Amalgamated Traders Association, said traders and other business operators in Abuja markets cannot be paying service charges and other levies to the wrong people.
He noted that for the traders to continue to comply with the revenue collection in the markets, FCTA needs to urgently tell them who is the authentic MD of AMML.
Abdullahi said: “The trend of problems facing the traders after the coming back of Faruk, the embattled Managing Director of Abuja Markets Management Limited. We have seen videos where different people are dragging for things in the office.
“We in the market are being affected directly when the leadership of AMML is not coordinated. The markets are not stable because of the conflict.
“The service charge and the dues we pay in the market, we are supposed to know exactly who to pay to. AMML is the collector of revenue of any kind in the market for the FCTA, so we want to know who is in charge.
“We have seen a letter from Abuja Investments Company Ltd, terminating the contract of Abubakar Faruk, we have also seen another letter telling us to stop paying money to anybody.”
Also Speaking, Hassan Ibrahim, Chairman Arewa Traders Association, FCT Chapter, demanded that Faruk should vacate the office, after 13 years as the MD of AMML.
Meanwhile, the Federal Capital Territory Administration ( FCTA) had taken measures to restore traders’ confidence and also stability in the markets.
Sunday Olubiyi, Head of Internal Security, Federal Capital Territory Administration ( FCTA) who addressed the protesters said, “We are aware of the crisis and the Administration is doing everything to resolve it. The Permanent Secretary is also working towards. You can come with all your documentation.”