By Tajudeen Balogun
Former Labour Party (LP) Presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi has appealed for review and removal of the new charges – to be paid by owners of shops at the Onitsha Head Bridge Market, in Anambra State, South East Nigeria.
Obi made the appeal on his verified X handle @PeterObi, on Tuesday morning, in response to a directive by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to shop owners to pay ₦700,000, each, to reopen their stores in the market.
Obi, a former Governor of the State, called on the relevant authorities to intervene, so as to ensure the businesses in the market reopen.
He pointed out that the shop owners have already endured prolonged closures, mounting unpaid bills, and economic strain, contending that adding further burdens to them and their families at this time, was simply “unjust and an economic sabotage”.
The opposition leader asserted: “Compassion must lie at the root of government action”.
Obi said: “I recall visiting the Head Bridge Market during the initial phase of its closure, standing in support of the authorities to ensure our society is free from fake drugs and counterfeit goods.
“I did so with the hope that investigations would be carried out swiftly, and the market would be reopened promptly, especially to ease the suffering of small business owners already burdened by our current national economic challenges”.
Following this, Obi declared it was deeply unfortunate to learn that shop owners are now being asked to pay ₦700,000 to reopen their stores.
Obi’s post reads in part: “Already, over 7 million Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) have collapsed in the past two years in Nigeria. Our MSME’s businesses are at a “we can’t breathe” stage, and the very system that should be offering them oxygen to support their breathing is instead suffocating them.
“This level of insensitivity is both disturbing and uncaring. Let us prioritize compassion, economic recovery, and the survival of our small businesses at this critical time in our nation.
“Surely, I am standing in support of the authorities to ensure our society is free from fake drugs and counterfeit goods. I did so with the hope that investigations would be carried out swiftly, and the market would be reopened promptly, especially to ease the suffering of small business owners already burdened by our current national economic challenges.
“I want to appeal again to the relevant authorities: please review and drop this charge. Allow these businesses to reopen.
“These shop owners have already endured prolonged closures, mounting unpaid bills, and economic strain. Adding further burdens to them and their families at this time is simply unjust and an economic sabotage.”
