From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
Austin Achado, a member of the House of Representatives for Gwer East/Gwer West Federal Constituency, has condemned what he described as “unlawful closure of business premises and sustained harassment by the Benue state government.”
Achado made this call while briefing the press on Thursday in Makurdi over the sealing of City Bay Park, Benysta Microfinance Bank, which are part of his business conglomerate and other business centres allegedly owned by members of APC in the state.
He stated that the sealing of the premises is emblematic of a broader issue threatening democratic principles, economic stability, and the rights of citizens in Benue State and called on the people of Benue State to advise Governor Hyacinth Alia to cease actions that are detrimental to the socio-economic progress of the state.
He recalled that “on December 23, 2024, officials from the Benue State Internal Revenue Service, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, alongside law enforcement agencies, forcibly entered and sealed the premises of City Bay Park and Benysta Microfinance Bank.”
They also sealed Precious Event Centre and Balcony Bar and Garden, now named Club 2:30, among others, all situated in Makurdi, the Benue state capital.
Speaking to newsmen, Achado said the officials presented demand notices dated December 12 and 13, 2024, regarding business premises registration fees.
The Rep member said that despite City Bay Park’s status as a government property, which arguably exempts it from such fees, the management of the park swiftly paid ₦20,000 for registration and ₦219,000 as default charges on the 23rd December 2024, to avoid conflict.
“Shockingly, after an additional ₦20,000 was demanded and paid to unseal City Bay Park, a more aggressive enforcement team arrived and resealed both premises.
He said, “This second operation was marked by excessive force and harassment, including the use of tear gas, which caused injuries and distress among customers, including children and the elderly, some of whom fainted, while others sustained serious injuries in the process.
“In City Bay Park, many Indigenous people hold and operate businesses at the park. Many of the businesses are owned by people whom the governor fondly calls the ‘masses’. Some of them purchased frozen fish and chicken and other perishable food items, preparatory for Christmas, with most of the items sadly now rotten as a result of the forceful sealing of the park by the government.”
He said the action of the state government was unlawful, barbaric, ill-advised, and not driven by public interest, as the arbitrary and heavy-handed sealing of the business premises is executed without authorisation from any competent court of law empowered to issue such an order.
Achado said the abrupt closure of the businesses has caused significant financial losses for business owners within City Bay Park, while many have also experienced psychological trauma, especially as weddings and other events that were scheduled to be held at the park were altered.
The federal rep, who stated that the actions are not only a gross abuse of power but also politically motivated, alleged that “Governor Alia’s administration has consistently threatened key APC stakeholders, including myself, who were instrumental in his election victory. This pattern of oppression raises serious concerns about his commitment to good governance.
“The actions of the governor suggest a calculated attempt to silence dissent and undermine our contributions to the state’s development.”
Achado appealed to the people of Benue State to advise Governor Alia to cease actions detrimental to the socio-economic progress of the state, urging Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, to ensure that the police in Benue State are not used as tools of oppression and intimidation but for the maintenance of law and order.
The party chieftain also appealed to the National Leadership APC to caution Governor Alia on his onslaught against APC leaders in Benue State.
Meanwhile, some of the tenants at the park who spoke to newsmen, including Suleiman Hassan, Shaaji Martha, Nexy, and the park manager, Benedict Achado, lamented their huge losses, demanding the government pay them compensation.
The CEO of Nexy Unisex Fashion, Next Josephine, said she slept at the police station yesterday, December 25, 2024, after disappointing a new bride whose wedding clothes and those of her bridal train she failed to deliver following the sealing of the premises.
She said, “I have lost huge sums of money to the tune of over N5 million within the period from that business and others. I demand that we be compensated.”
Miss Shaaji, who spoke on behalf of those selling perishable goods like fresh fish, meat, and ice cream, among others, lamented that their goods have all perished, leading to a financial setback; hence, they need to source for money, start all over again, or repay the loans they took to make December sales.
She also called on the administration of Governor Hyacinth Alia to pay each of them N5 million in compensation.
The manager of City Bay Park, Benedict Achado, said the park has about 24 vendors who sell fish and pepper soup, as well as photographers, CCTV operators, health operators, and those in the kiddies section.
Achado, who stated that he committed huge personal resources to the victory of Governor Alia, said, “The Fr Alia that I personally know and worked for cannot do this. If he did so, it means something is wrong or somebody somewhere is pushing him. This is not an idea from the Governor of Benue State,” he said.