Traders in the commercial city of Onitsha have continued to count their losses weeks after the demolition of the controversial Ekesons Motor Park in the popular Upper Iweka area of the town. Governor Willie Obiano maintains that the exercise was meant to rid the city of hoodlums.

The traders, who said the matter was pending at the Federal High Court, Awka, before the demolition by the state government’s special task force, said that they have been finding life difficult since the demolition took place.

According to them, it was heart-rending seeing hoodlums having a free day looting and carting away their wares while the demolition was going on.

Mr. Simon Okoye, who claimed ownership of two shops in the market, said: “The demolition took us by surprise because the park has been a subject of litigation and the court had even given an order restraining the government or its agents from disrupting the business of Ekeson Group who are the owners of the park

“We were surprised to see over 50 Task Force members demolishing all the structures, including our corporate office.

“They chased us away and even towed our buses to an unknown destination and cordoned off the entire place as hoodlums had a free day. “The hoodlums carted away cartons of motor parts as the demolition was going on.”

Counsel to Chief E. E. Ojukwu and E. Ekeson Motors Agencies Ltd., Mr. Fidelis Mbadugha of A.N Anyemene (SAN) Chambers, described the demolition as a clear contempt of court.

Meanwhile, Governor Obiano has reiterated the determination of his government to rid the state of criminals so as to sanitise Anambra State.

Governor Obiano, who spoke when he visited the demolition site, said that the exercise was part of the on-going plan to create a conducive environment in the state so as to attract investors.

•Photo shows a demolition exercise in Anambra State.

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