Protests underwent earlier today in Kofar Wambai market, Kano state. Shop owners in Sani Buhari Street protested against the erection of a building in the street as they said it would cripple businesses and livelihoods if erected.
According to shop owners, Layin Sani Buhari (Sani Buhari Street) is the major passageway in which vehicles use in conveying goods to-and-fro the market. They said that they will continue to oppose moves to erect any structure in the street.
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Daily News 24 reports that certain business activities were shut down in Sani Buhari Street as the foundation for the intended building denied both vehicular and pedestrian access further into the market. Also, shops were under lock and key as a result of the construction activity in the street.
‘Jobs loss eminent if the structure is erected’ – Shop Owner
Ibrahim Rabiu, stated that after constructing a building in a major street in the market, Sani Buhari Street remained the only access road for vehicles into and out of the market. He said that the street served many purposes such as praying ground for the market people.
“If this building is erected, all our customers will no longer pass this route and this will mess up with our business and finances will be diminished. There are other people who don’t have shops but sell their goods on trucks in this street, because it is a major one.” He said.
“If this building is constructed, a huge number of jobs will be lost. We are in pains and we are pleading with the government to hear the cry of the people.” He added.
Similarly, Sani Aminu, a shop keeper in the market said that individuals who push wheel barrows get their livelihoods from Sani Buhari Street. He stated that an uncountable number of individuals trade in the street and that jobs will be lost if the building is erected.
“Something like this had occurred before and after much intervention was done away with. We are sincerely displeased with this development and are not in support of it. We are going to be cheated if this structure is build.” He said.
Abba Musa a wheelbarrow said that Sani Buhari street is the only route he uses to convey goods from Kofar Wambai market to Kwari market and others. “Yesterday I also passed through this street and conveyed goods to other markets and into the market as well. If this building is erected, I will be out of jobs. He said.
Sani Buhari Street is our only hope in times of emergency – Shop Owner
Isyaku Bala, a shop owner told Daily News24 that if an emergency situation occurs in the market, Sani Buhari Street is the major passage way for both individuals and vehicles. “If there is any fire outbreak in this market, this is the major passage that Fire service uses to gain access into the market. If this building is erected here, we will be at risk and will be in grave danger.
“We want the Kano state government and other authorities to intervene in this situation because we don’t want to be put in harm’s way if any emergency situation arises.” He pleaded.
Bashir Yusuf, another shop keeper in the street said that they were not consulted before the building construction process started. He said that they were shocked on seeing a construction activity in the street.
“This street is just about 20 centimeter long and a building is about to be erected. When this is done, the passageway which will be left will only be about 3 centimeters which is too small to effectively convey people in the market, talk more of vehicles. If constructed, we are going to be choked.”
“We are in the era of the Corona Virus pandemic and the government and health authorities keep telling us to be socially distanced and then a building is about to be erected here. If that is done, we cannot ensure social distancing and will be at risk of contacting the deadly coronavirus disease.” He told Daily News24.
Yusuf recalls a time when there was a fire outbreak in the market and said that Sani Buhari street was the major access way to officials of the Kano Fire service. “If this road is blocked and a fire outbreak occurs will we start shouting and placing out hands on our heads without any solution in sight?’’ he concluded.
‘We pay taxes and don’t deserve to be treated in this manner’ – Shop Owner
Alhaji Aminu, a shop owner told Daily News24 that shop owners pay their taxes and other monetary requirements for doing business in the market and don’t deserved to be treated in such manner.
“We pay our revenue taxes, we pay money for business operation in this location and we pay other monetary requirements for trading in this market and we were not consulted before the foundation of the soon to be erected structure was done.
“In other markets like the Sabon gari market, there are bigger streets where vehicles can freely pass and Sani Buhari street is the only one that is left in this market and plans are underway to close it up with a building, we cannot take it.
“We Pay money to the security and the cleaners in this market and as such, don’t deserve to be treated like this. We want the government to look into our situation and stop the construction work in Sani Buhari street as soon as possible because shops are locked up and monies are being lost.” He said.
