FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, has directed the re-opening of the Dei-Dei building materials market in Abuja and its adjoining markets.
Government shut the market on May 19 after a crisis was recorded there on May 18.
The minister told newsmen on Thursday in Abuja at the end of a meeting he had with major stakeholders of the Dei-Dei community that the markets would re-open for business from Friday, May 27.
Dei-Dei Market clash: FCTA officials visit victims’ families
He said stakeholders at the meeting agreed that the May18 fracas had no ethnic underpinning, but was ignited by a traffic accident hijacked by hoodlums.
“We held an important meeting with stakeholders of the Dei-Dei community; the leadership of the five major markets, the head of community, His Royal Highness, Dr Idris Musa, the Sarkin Jiwa and religious leaders.
“Basically, we reaffirmed the need for peace in that community as well as in the FCT in general.
“The conclusion of our meeting is that all the communities agreed that what happened was not a tribal or religious crisis.
“What happened was just an unfortunate accident that was hijacked by hoodlums in the community who created havoc,’’ the minister said.
He added that the consensus was that every community in the area should flush out miscreants and hoodlums.
Bello said the meeting also resolved that corrective measures would be taken on structures in the market that were not in conformity with the Abuja Master plan.
On the activities of commercial motorcyclists, the minister said that their operations would be brought under full regulation and control.
“Generally, the stakeholders agreed that peace is very important. Without peace, there will not be economic development and without peace, there will be no society.
Bello announced the constitution of a technical committee that would provide a comprehensive report and a roadmap for the re-development of the whole area for the benefit of citizens.
The committee, which has four weeks to submit its report, is chaired by Ibrahim Ismaila, Senior Special Assistant to the Minister on Land, Urban and Regional Planning.
Members of the committee were drawn from the local and business communities of the Dei-Dei area, security agencies and officials of the FCT Administration.
The Sarkin Jiwa also sued for peace, saying members of the community are brothers and sisters and should endeavour to live in peace at all times.
“We should be our brothers’ keepers and endeavour to live in peace with one another.
“We should instruct our followers to keep away from the past ugly incident and ensure that peace reigns in the area,’’ he said.
In his remarks, Chairman of the market, Mr Kingsley Orabuego, said: “we have to live in peace as one nation. We are here to make ends meet and we cannot live without one another. We cannot progress without one another.
“I am urging all the people of Dei-Dei Building Materials Market to live in peace and embrace one another.’’
Trouble started at the market community on May 18 when a passenger on a commercial motorcycle fell off the bike and was crushed by a vehicle.
Hoodlums seized the opportunity to loot and raze the building materials shops at the market under the pretext of a consequent protest. (NAN)
