Rumuwoji Market: Beyond The Surface

Driving or walking through the precincts of the popular Mile 1 Bus Stop, along Ikwerre road in the nation’s Garden City, a grandiose, magnificent splendor of a sprawling complex releases a warm and befitting smile to the person. The  sprawling ultra-modern edifices is what that now sits demurely at the site of what was known as ‘ Mile 1 market’ but renamed ‘Rumuwoji Market so befitting, magnificent and compelling is the market that there appear to be unanimity within the Port Harcourt public that in contrast, the former sight that the market poses is nothing but squalor. Thus, the Rivers State government that bankrolled the market’s reconstruction has been receiving Kudos from the people!

Beyond the grandiose, radiant and meritorious picture the market paints at the surface however, unknown to many residents, a lot of water seem to be passing under the bridge some to the delight of people, others to their outright disaffection. It is these developments that go on beyond or beneath the surface of the market – which is only what the public sees – that this piece seeks to bring to the fore.

Aside the government of Rivers State, the stakeholders of the market include: the Mile One Market Traders Association (MOMTA), Port Harcourt City Local government Council, the Police in Diobu division Rumuwoji and of course the host community of Rumuwoji and their sister communities of  Nkpolu, Ogbum-Na-Abali and Orogbum. At inception, the stakeholder agreed that the market was due for re-construction, prompting the award of contract and take-off of the multi-million naira gigantic project.

But why the re-construction? What necessitated it? A little background will suffice here.

On 6th January, 2004, the market was razed to the ground (by fired), the damage caused by the inferno was colossal, resulting in the loss of shops, properties, goods and cash estimated at over two billion (2b) naira. That was the sorry state of the market and the traders until three years after, precisely on 7th January, 2007 when the erstwhile state governor, Dr Peter Odili came to their rescue’, he visited the market on that day to assess the situation, interacted with the traders and pledged government’s assistance to the tune of six hundred and sixty million (N660 m) naira – meant for the rehabilitation of the traders, a pledge The Tide established last week during our investigations into the market, was never made good until the end of that administration.

While the frustration of the traders who operate under the aegis of the Rumuwoji (Mile One) Market Traders Association (MOMTA) persists, they sought the assistance of the former number six citizen of the country and Deputy Speaker, at the time, of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon. Austin Opara, who hails from the sister community of Nppolu-Oroworukwo.  Opara rose to the occasion and offered them the assistance they needed. The Tide  established that through the intervention of Opara, the plight of the market was brought to the attention of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and relief materials were donated by NEMA to the traders through the state government.

However, the materials were said not to have gotten to those they were meant for -Rumuwoji market traders! A letter dated 1st June, 2007 signed by their chairman and secretary, Mssrs Daniel Iheme and Uche Marvelous respectively, whose copy was made available to The Tide last week (addressed to former Governor Celestine Omehia) conveyed the traders complaint on this. It states inter-alia, “… we’re still hoping and waiting to receive these materials well after almost four (4) years now”, adding that as a result of the non-release of the relief materials to the traders association, “for over three years now, we have been doing business under the mercy of harsh weather”.

Be that as it may, the traders credited the Dr Odili government with the initiation of “positive developmental strides” on the Rumuwoji market project, which they said he bequeathed to his successor, Sir Celestine Omehia. This, perhaps, could be explained by a meeting the government held with the traders and the Executive Council of the host community – Rumuwoji. At the meeting, Dr Odili was represented by the then secretary to his government, Mrs. Aleruchi Dame Cookey-Gam).

At the meeting, the government requested the market traders and the community to come up with a holistic proposal that is achievable, with minimum strife. The traders union and the community acted swiftly and contacted the United Bank for Africa (UBA) to draft the proposal for them – with a view to giving it all the professional touch that such proposal deserves. The proposal drafted by Chief Fred Alabraba, the then “Chairman” of the bank and “renowned statesman of Rivers State” for the traders and community was submitted to the government. The hallmark of the proposal is that the traders, host community, UBA and the government are to partner in the reconstruction of the market at no cost to government.

Government accepted the proposal but for reason (s) The Tide could not establish last week, jettisoned the “at no cost to government” aspect of the proposal, as it awarded the contract for the market reconstruction to Julius Berger Plc – a development that was opposed by the traders. In a letter to the “in-coming” Omehia government, they said, they could not understand “why a project that have been designed and fashioned by a first class professional institution, as the United Bank for Africa (UBA) (that is) to be executed at no cost to government and its positive multiplier effect on the life of the people and the people at large be thrown away for the alternative approach that amplifies wastage (award to Julius Berger)”.

When it was clear that the defunct Omehia administration would not bulge on the award of the contract to Julius Berger, the traders resort to another prayer and appeal to the government: “That members of the traders union be included in the committee that may oversee the planning, relocation and reconstruction/building of the market, for reasons of fluidity”.

Reason: “We fear for our welfare, our source of livelihood but we believe that God has brought you to redeem this anomaly …?” The traders chairman, Mr. Iheme and Secretary, Mr. Marvelous said.

In an apparent move to assure the traders and indeed host community that government is sensitive, the government acceded to their demand, many request, of involving them in the committee on the market project. In a letter from the office of the Deputy Governor, with Reference Number: ODG/AD/078 signed by a Director in the office, A. I. Fubara for the Deputy governor, dated 18th June, 2007 and captioned: “Consultative Committee on the reconstruction of the Rumuwoji (Mile One) Market”, the government announced the inauguration of the committee on 19th June, 2007 at 12 noon in the conference hall of the Deputy Governor’s office.

The letter, which copy was shown to The Tide  at Government House during our investigation on Tuesday

states in part: “The Rivers State government is committed to the reconstruction of the Rumuwoji (Mile One) market. In this regard, His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Rivers State has approved… the consultative committee for the purpose”.

The Committee’s Term of Reference were given by the government as “To identify and arrange for alternative sites for the relocation of traders in the market to allow for the effective execution of the project; to ensure the smooth and proper relocation of traders to allow for the commencement of the project; to ensure a conducive atmosphere for the unhindered commencement, progress and completion of the project in line with government projection and pace as well as to serve as liaison between government/contractor on the one hand, and landlord communities and traders association on the other hand, and any other responsibility that may be assigned to it from time to time by the government.”

Thus, the Mile One Market ‘Mile One  Traders Association (MOMTA) commended the defunct Omehia administration for the role it played over the market affair. In a letter dated 1st June, 2007, it states: “Subsequent upon your visit to our market on the 31st of May, 2007, we the above members, traders and Mile One (Rumuwoji) market community, under the umbrella of our Trade Union, Mile One Market Traders Association (MOMTA) heartily  thank you for identifying with us ….”

Investigations conducted by The Tide  revealed that some of the traders still harbours palpable fear on the allocation of shops at the (now completed) market project. The Tide  was also able to establish that the fear is even more pronounced within the ranks of the Host Community. Although, the Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi  Amaechi administration that inherited the project has taken steps aimed at annihilating the fear and give the people confidence and hope as well as douse whatever tension that may erupt in the course of the re-construction work leading to the completion of the market, traders and their host community are still apprehensive.

One reason for this, The Tide learnt, is the dissolution of the committee on the market, which they viewed as ‘unceremious’ and ‘undeserving’. The government conveyed the dissolution of the committee to its members through secretary to the committee.

A letter addressed to the committee’s secretary on a “Government of Rivers State of Nigeria” letter head, dated December 10, 2007 with Reference Numbers MOW/AD/PS/VOL.1/019 reads: “I am directed to refer to your letter for audience with the Hon. Commissioner for Works, dated 15th November, 2007 but regret to inform you of the dissolution of your Committee. I am further directed to thank you, your Chairman and other members of the committee for serving the state in the above mentioned capacity”.

The letter, signed by J.A. Achese-Jama for the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works is attentioned: Mr. Harry M.S. Moses (The Secretary).

Anger, disquiet and a feeling of insecurity and disillusion greeted the letter at the traders union and their host community, as they wondered what might have led to government dissolution of the Committee. Two years later, their fears were allayed as they received indication from government quarters that the committee will be re-constituted. However, to make assurance doubly sure that they would be represented on the new committee, the market union and host community wrote the government on this.

One of the letters addressed to the governor, Rt. Hon. Amaechi, with the title: “Matters arising from the re-building and re-location of traders in the Rumunwoji Market” was received at the Governor’s Office on 18th November, 2009 – the same day that it was written. It was written by Rumuwoji Town Council and signed by its Chairman and Secretary, Messrs Fyneface O. Nsiegbe and Dickens Worlu respectively as well as the Secretary, Chiefs/Owhor Holders Council, Chief Ogbondah Worlu and Nyewe-Eli/Paramount ruler of the Community, Chief John Dike.

The letter stated inter-alia: “Sequel to the intention of Rivers State Government to recompose a committee for the re-allocation of traders of the rebuilt Rumuwoji market, we on behalf of the people of Rumuwoji Community in respect of the Rumuwoji market request that representatives of Rumuwoji (the host community) be included in the committee to be re-composed by the state government in respect of Rumuwoji market. The following representatives of Rumuwoji town are hereby presented for inclusion in the said committee….”

The Host community also said in the letter, which The Tide had possession of  “We temporarily donated our Civic Centre (Rumuwoji Playground) for the relocation of the displaced traders as a result of the reconstruction of Rumuwoji market, and to partner with the state government for this developmental project”, adding “this temporary donation has deprived us of our revenue derivable from the use of the said Civic Centre, and we use this medium to appeal that Government should carry our interest along and consider the above-mentioned persons for inclusion in the committee”.

Another demand of the community which investigations conducted between last week and yesterday revealed, is yet to be acceded to by government and which is currently casing disaffection and whipping up sentiments in the host community is:

“That 20% of the Stores (at the market should) be allocated to Rumuwoji indigenes through the Nyewe – Eli and Chiefs Council (and) upon completion of the Rumuwoji market project, the state government (should) reserve the nomination of an indigenous contractor to Rumuwoji – to carry out the rehabilitation of Rumuwoji Town hall and playground temporarily donated by the community to accommodate the market traders during the period of construction of Rumunwoji market “

A spokesman for the Rumuwoji Town Council divulged to The Tide on Wednesday at its Afikpo/Nsukka Street junction secretariat that the Council has not received a reply to its letter and a 4-page reminder dated December 12, 2009 has also not been replied. The spokesman who would not want his name in print said the host community is at a loss as to what government’s position is on the issues raised in their letter but however expressed hope that they would hear from the government soon since the whole essence of their letter is to ensure that the host community is not sidelined.

“The people of Rumuwoji are very much grateful to the River State Government for taking bold steps in building the Rumuwoji Market. We shall ever remain supportive to the good governance of the present administration led by Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi; he said, adding that what the Rumuwoji (Mile) Market Host Community actually want from the government at the moment is an audience with the governor to address the issues raised in their letter. He said this much was said in a recent letter, dated July 20, despatched by the community’s Attorney-T.R. Warmate & Co, whose reply they are still awaiting.

Justus Awaji