Umuahia, the Capital of Abia State Butchers went out in large numbers on Sunday to protest against the state government’s plan to remove them from Ubakala, Umuahia South LGA were thay are currently located. With plankards suggesting various reasons why they were not in agreement with the new plan, they marched down to the state government house in Umuahia to lay their complaints and grievances.
According to the statements made by the butchers’ association president, Ngozi Williams, “Some persons, in collaboration with the host community and some government officials, came and sent us out, having fenced some sections of the abattoir, as well as asking us to relocate to Umunneochi.
“We have written to the state government, but have not received any response, instead, the person from inside Government House came and is driving us away. We did not relocate to Ubakala with any land, but land was given to us by the same state government.
“Instead, a government official has been harassing us with security agencies in the state, particularly with the state government security outfit, Operation Crush.”
The president further explained that “The abattoir had been in Umuahia North for long a time before it was relocated to Umuahia South L.G.A, precisely Mgbarakuma/Amuzu Land in Ubakala, Umuahia South L.G.A by the then military administration led by Col. Ike Nwosu and the then Minister of Agriculture, Adamu Ciroma, in 1994.” Therefore, they pleaded with the state government to be considerate of their plight and not have them removed once again.
Responding to the butcher’s, the Chief Security Officer to Governor Alex Otti, Mr. Ken Nwosu reassured the butchers that the situation will be looked into. He also commended them for ensuring that the protest staged was a peaceful one.
However, when the traditional ruler of the Mgbarakuma Autonomous Community, HRH Eze Nwaubani, was met concerning this matter, he maintained not being involved in the alleged plans to sack the butchers.
Speaking on the matter, the Special Adviser to otti, Navy Commander Macdonald Uba, made it known that the government was only trying to improve the hygienic condition of the market by providing modern utilities that will ensure proper hygeine is practiced in the Abatoir as the butchers having been working in an unhygienic environment.