FCT: Karmo village head appeals against forced market relocation

The proposed demolition of Karmo Sabo’s community market has sparked concerns over the balance between urban development and the livelihood of low-income traders, with the community’s Village Head, Chief Umar Garni Sarkin Karmo, urging the FCT Administration (FCTA) to reconsider the plan.

Addressing journalists on Monday in his palace, Sarkin Karmo said the community supported development but could not understand why its existing market had to be demolished to make way for traders to move into a privately owned modern market in another district.

He appealed to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to intervene and prevent what he described as a decision capable of creating economic hardship and communal tension.

According to him, Karmo Sabo and Old Karmo are not the same district, despite sharing the name “Karmo”.

He further identified Idu-Koro as another neighbouring community with its own district structure.

The traditional ruler argued that the relocation could generate disagreements over who would control or take responsibility for the traders once they moved into the new location.

He said the issue was particularly serious because many traders in the existing market were small-scale operators with limited capital.

Sarkin Karmo said traders who could only afford to invest N5,000, N10,000 or N20,000 in their businesses might not survive in an expensive modern market. He acknowledged the proposal to allow traders to operate free for six months, but said the arrangement did not provide a sustainable solution.

He asked the authorities to consider what would happen to the traders after the six-month grace period expired. The village head said the government should protect the interests of ordinary citizens while pursuing its urban renewal programme.

He maintained that community markets remained relevant to residents who could not afford the cost associated with modern commercial facilities, adding that the community had also been cooperating with authorities to keep roads free whenever trading activities spilled onto major roads.

He appealed for dialogue ahead of the forthcoming meetings involving the Abuja Investment Company, FCDA and the department of Development Control.

He said a peaceful solution could be found if the authorities listened to the concerns of the affected community before implementing the demolition plan.